IT News
Imphal, July 27:
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) N Ganesh, alongside Range Forest Officers of the Central Forest Division and 100 forest staff, conducted a route march and area domination along the foothills of Heingang Reserved Forest (RF) on July 27. The march, covering a 15 km stretch from Marjing to Pangei Road and Keirang Muslim, aimed to detect new encroachments and halt rampant hill earth excavation in the forest areas.
Heingang RF, established by Manipur State Darbar Resolution No.432 dated August 4, 1913, spans 10 sq. km and falls under the jurisdiction of Sadar East Range in Khabam Block. During the march, the team addressed critical issues like trespassing and illegal earth excavation, which threaten the forest’s integrity. Such activities contravene several laws, including the Indian Forest Act, 1927, the Manipur Forest Rules, 2021, and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
DFO N Ganesh emphasized that hill earth excavation is punishable with six months imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 25,000 or both. The team proposed establishing additional check-posts to monitor and prevent illegal activities. Over 10 encroachments were detected, and show-cause notices issued, with preliminary offence reports filed against violators.
