Massive excavation in Nongmaiching Reserve Forest underway violating HC order

A large-scale excavation being carried out inside Leimaching, a part of the Nongmaiching Reserved Forest, has triggered serious concerns over possible violations of environmental laws and standing directives of the High Court of Manipur. The ongoing extraction of hill earth, reportedly taking place without mandatory clearances, is said to be rapidly altering the fragile landscape of the reserve forest area.
Leimaching, located on the northern side of the approach road leading to the Manipur Cultural University, now bears visible scars of extensive digging. Large portions of the hillock have allegedly been cut away, raising fears among environmental observers and forest officials that continued excavation could permanently damage the ecological balance of the reserve forest.
Sources familiar with the matter alleged that the excavated earth is being transported for use at locations falling under the Khetrigao Assembly Constituency. The development assumes significance in light of an existing order passed by the High Court of Manipur in PIL No. 25 of 2017 dated July 25, 2018, which imposed a blanket ban on all unregulated and illegal extraction of hill earth from any part of the state.
Under prevailing laws, extraction of hill earth and other minor minerals can only be undertaken after obtaining mandatory Environment and Forest Clearances from competent authorities. Officials point out that mining activities also require approval under the Manipur Mines and Mineral Concession Rules after submission of a mining plan prepared by an authorised mine planner.
A government official, speaking to Imphal Times on condition of anonymity, explained that individuals, contractors, organisations or government departments intending to extract hill earth must first secure forest and environmental clearances and subsequently apply to the Trade, Commerce and Industries Department for mining lease approval. Only after payment of government dues and completion of all legal formalities can extraction begin.
The official stated that these procedures are expected to be completed well before the onset of monsoon and flood-related emergencies. However, according to the official, the legal process is frequently bypassed in the state, with influential individuals allegedly resorting to forcible extraction from nearby reserved forest areas.
“Many vested interest groups remove hill earth from Reserved Forest areas without obtaining permission and even intimidate forest field staff who attempt to intervene,” the official alleged.
The official further claimed that concerned government departments had already been informed about the legal requirements and the necessity of obtaining prior approval before undertaking any such excavation work. Despite this, illegal extraction allegedly intensifies during crisis situations, particularly ahead of flood season, often in direct violation of provisions of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.
During a visit to the excavation site at Leimaching, this reporter found extraction activities continuing unabated. When questioned, one individual present at the site reportedly claimed that the area fell under state khas land or revenue-surveyed land and asserted that the excavation was being carried out under instructions from the MLA of Khetrigao.
When asked whether mandatory permissions had been obtained from competent authorities, the individual allegedly admitted that no such clearance had been secured and stated that the work was proceeding solely under the instruction of the MLA. The person also claimed to be unaware of the High Court’s statewide restriction on extraction of hill earth without official approval.
Officials of the Nongmaiching Forest Range under the Central Forest Division confirmed to this reporter that the site of excavation falls within the notified boundaries of the Nongmaiching Reserved Forest. According to the officials, the ongoing activity constitutes a violation of Section 26 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, which prohibits unauthorised clearing, breaking up or removal of forest produce from reserved forests.
Forest officials disclosed that a forest offence case has already been registered and investigation initiated. However, they admitted that seizure action could not be carried out due to the alleged involvement of “people in power.”
Officials also referred to a Revenue Department order issued in 2016 for conducting a revenue survey in the hill area. According to them, such survey exercises themselves are contentious if conducted inside a Reserved Forest without adherence to provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Officials maintained that the state government cannot convert Reserved Forest land into revenue land merely through survey activities without prior approval from the Central Government under Section 2 of the Act.
The controversy has once again exposed the growing tension between environmental protection laws and developmental or politically-backed extraction activities in Manipur’s ecologically sensitive hill regions.
Forest personnel privately expressed concern that if elected representatives and influential groups continue to allegedly override statutory safeguards and obstruct enforcement agencies, long-term protection of the state’s Reserved Forests may become increasingly difficult.