Union minister of state, in charge of environment forest and climate change, Prakash Javadekar today arrived in the state and met the officials of the State Forest Department to discuss the present problem face by the department functionaries in protecting the forest area of the state. Tribal leaders who also settled in the hills and forest areas had also been invited to interact with the Union Minister.
The union minister said that if the insurgency problem of state is come to an end and peace returned then Manipur will attract not only Indian tourist but also tourists from outside the country.
“Manipur can be the best tourist destination”, said Javadekar.
He further added that Manipur is among the few state of the country that increase forest cover area every year.
“Credit for protecting the forest goes 75% to the people of the state and 25 % goes to the department officer”, he said.
Showing serious concern over the practice of Jhum Cultivation, the Union Minister of state said that central government is finding an alternative livelihood for the people so that forest area can be kept intact.
Forest and Environment Minister, Th Devendra who also present during the occasion said that people of the hill mostly depend their livelihood on the forest product and state government is also planning for alternative arrangement for the livelihood of those who depend on the forest products.
He expresses his desire to have Forest Protection force to protect and preserved the forest area.
During the interaction the tribal leaders welcome the idea of arranging alternative means for livelihood to stop depending on forest product.
