Excavation in forest areas, movement of produce banned
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 19 2025: Notifications have been issued by authorities concerned strictly prohibiting unauthorised excavation, collection, or transportation of hill earth or other forest produce like timber (sawn/round), Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPS), sand, boulders, etc.

In separate orders issued on Thursday, removal or transportation of the aforementioned materials without a valid permit, payment of royalty and issuance of a transit pass constitutes a punishable offence under Section 2 (A) of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and Manipur Forest Rules, 2021 .

Operators of excavators and all other earth moving or loading equipment are forbidden from operating within or around forest lands without proper authorisation.

Violation will result in immediate seizure of machinery under relevant section of law.

Vehicles including trucks, trippers, and dumpers found carrying illegal forest produce without valid documents will be seized and prosecution will be initiated against the vehicle owner and driver, specified the order.

It also directed frontline forest staff to conduct round-the-clock surveillance and surprise checks at all forest area entry/exit points, while appealing to public to report any suspicious activities involving illegal excavation or transport of forest produce in the area.

The orders maintained that the crackdown on illegal hill earth excavation operations has been initiated based on reports about unauthorised activities under the pretext of flood-related works across the state.

Stating that individuals and contractors have been taking advantage of the recent floods to unlawfully extract hill earth from forest areas, in direct contravention of existing forest regulations, the orders stated that Preliminary Offence Reports and FIRs have already been filed, and legal proceedings underway.

It warned that all individuals involved in such activities shall face strict punitive action.

The orders cited the Manipur High Court's landmark order dated July 25, 2018 (PIL No 25 of 2017), which unequivocally prohibits all unregulated or illegal excavation of minor minerals across the state.

The orders also assume significance as the state has been facing escalating environmental issues such as erratic rainfall patterns, devastating floods, increased landslides, and the overarching impact of climate change.

"Violations will lead to stringent penal measures, including imprisonment, fines, and confiscation of equipment and vehicles used in the offence," it cautioned, urging the cooperation of all stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, village authorities, local organisations, and citizens, to ensure protection and conservation of the forests in the state.

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