CM N. Biren announces Rs 5 lakh reward to fight forest fire
IT News
Imphal, Feb 9:
Co-ordinating Body, Khurai, a conglomerate of 42 CSOs and Nongmaiching Laipham Environment Preservation committee had stated that some anti social people have been deliberately set on fire many part of the Nongmaiching Reserved Forest area with intention for poppy plantation. Since January 19 till February 8 this year, some people set ablse the Reserved Forest area six times.
Taking the matter with extreme seriousness Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh to the person who provides accurate information of those who cause wildfire.
Biren made the announcement on his Facebook post on Wednesday night citing the wildfire that occurred at Nongmaiching hill in Imphal East on Wednesday evening.
Earlier, the Forest department had issued notification to prohibit trekking, camping and picnicking in all forest areas of the state. The notification said that no persons or individuals who violated the notice without prior permission will be punished as per the Forest Act.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that despite the appeal to stop any activities that could cause wild fire there was a wild fire incident at Nongmaiching.
“The government will reward Rs 5 lakh to the person who can give accurate information to nab persons involved in causing wildfire,” Biren said.
It may be mentioned that , the Co-ordinating Body, Khurai, a conglomerate of 42 local clubs, Meira Paibi and Working Class of Khurai area, had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Manipur urging a proper investigation to the burning of forest areas at Nongmaiching Forest Range area by some individuals with intention of deforesting for Poppy plantation at the area.
The memorandum also stated that some villagers settling in and around Nongmaiching Hill Forest Range are regularly burning down the Reserve Forest of Nongmaiching Hill Forest Range deforesting the Reserved Forest area for the purpose of poppy plantation causing irreparable loss to the Forest Area for the purpose of poppy plantation thereby causing irreparable loss to the ecosystem and wildlife.
It added that the Reserved Forest was set ablaze on January 19, 2023. On Jan 21 again and on Jan 26 the forest was set on fire. And later on February 6, 7 and 8 2023 some anti social people set on fire the reserve forest area.
