Large-scale deforestation, wildfire worry Phayeng locals
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 01 2023: New settlements and expan sion of villages in the nearby hill areas as well as widespread deforestation and forest fire have become major cause of concern for Phayeng residents, who have been protecting and grooming the Phayeng forest (Uyok) for ages.

Phayeng Apunba Umang Committee organised a joint tour with media persons of the nearby forest areas of Phayeng on Tuesday morning.

The committee members showed new settlements and massive clearance of forests in the adjoining areas of the Uyok and expressed concern that such activities might one day affect the local Uyok too.

Maklang River, which flows through the Phayeng Uyok, is now dry unlike before due to deforestation in the catchment areas of the river.

During the tour, the media team found a signboard reading 'K Phaizol village' and most of the trees in the forest areas were cut down for firewood.

Even though no poppy farms were visible in the area, rampant deforestation has affected the hill areas thereby resulting in low water retention capacity in the catchment areas of the river.

Such activities contradict CM Biren's persistent appeals to the people of the state, especially those living in the hills, to refrain from cutting down trees.

Phayeng Awang Laibung 'khullakpa' Ningthoujam Toyai Chakpa told the media team that the Phayeng Uyok, which Phayeng residents have been looking after for generations, falls under the jurisdiction of Imphal West district as part of village No 60.The local residents have been protecting forest covers in the Uyok, which has an area of over 231 acres.

Besides, the Uyok also holds religious ties with Phayeng village as there are several religious sites for Lai Lam Thokfam, Laitaifam, Ching Ningthou Soraren, Ibudhou Loijing Ningthou, Ima Phouoibi, Ibudhou Puthiba, and Imoinu Ahongbi Khufam on the hill.

There was an incident when Phayeng residents strongly pro tested attempt of the state government's forest department to erect a signboard citing the Uyok as part of Kangchup Chiru Reserved Forest area under Kangpokpi forest division, he recalled.

Toyai Chakpa then urged the government to check official, records and keep the Uyok in Imphal West district as usual.

Further recounting that in 1927, the then Manipur durbar granted permission for offering annual sac rifice in the forest as per the Phayeng custom, he also claimed that the durbar had granted the forest area for harvesting thatch plants, gather firewood and grazing ground.

Earlier, Maldang River was a perennial river and there was plenty of water even during winter season.

However, those days are gone and the river gets dried up during winter.

The main reason behind the dry river is unprecedented deforestation in Sabam Lok and Yambam Lok areas, he said while drawing attention of the government to look into the matter and take up tree plantation programmes.

The 'khullakpa' also revealed that truckloads of firewood are being transported from the hill areas through Phayeng every day but the forest department is doing nothing to check such illegal activities.

According to Phayeng GP former pradhan A Gojendro, deforestation and forest fire by those residing in the hills have become a matter of concern for the people of the area, who are taking good care of the forest and have been protecting it for ages.

One can easily see the difference between the Phayeng Uyok and nearby forest areas.

The forest department expanding Kangchup Chiru reserved forest area up to Phayeng Uyok is not just a matter of jurisdiction but also puts the forest, which is preserved and protected by Phayeng locals, to risk of getting exploited by the people in the nearby hill villages, he said.

He then demanded the government to carry out a proper demarcation of the forest area and keep the Phayeng Uyok in Imphal West district.

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