Forest department bans illegal hill excavation
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 13 2024: In light of recent observations regarding rampant hill earth excavation to fill private lands on the pretext of flood recovery efforts, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Central Forest Division has issued a stern order to curb these illegal activities.

DFO N Ganesh, in an order issued on Saturday, highlighted the adverse environmental impacts of unsustainable extraction of minor minerals such as stone, sand, and earth.

The extraction activities have led to severe soil erosion, deforestation, slope instability, contamination of flood streams, increased torrent flow in rivers and streams, riverbank erosion, and flooding.

The order pointed out that Section 2(4)(w) of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and the Manipur Forest Rules, 2021 define minerals including stone as forest produce.

The removal and transportation of these materials without a permit and transit pass, and without payment of royalty and other charges, violates the provisions of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and Manipur Forest Rules, 2021 .

The High Court of Manipur, in its order dated July 23, 2018, in PIT No 23 of 2017, has already directed that all forms of unregulated or illegal excavation of minor minerals are completely prohibited and banned, regardless of location within the state.

Furthermore, the High Court, in its order dated July 2, 2017, in PIL No 5 of 2019, imposed a total ban on unauthorised stone quarrying, mining, and river pollution in all rivers of the state, except where a license or lease is granted in accordance with the law.

The Court specifically directed the authorities to take preventive measures to enforce this ban.

In response, the DFO has ordered a complete prohibition on illegal hill earth excavation in both Reserved Forest and Unclassed Forest areas.

Any violators will be prosecuted under the relevant Rules and Acts.

This decisive action by the forest department aims to safeguard the state's natural resources and prevent further environmental degradation caused by unregulated and illegal mineral extraction activities.

The department urges all individuals and contractors to comply with the legal requirements and obtain the necessary permits and licenses for any such activities to avoid legal repercussions.

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