IMPHAL, June 19: Opposition leader Dr I Ibohalbi Singh today observed in the House that the continued imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers’ Act in the state has contributing to destroying forests in the state.
The MLA was speaking during a discussion of Demand for Grants, 2013-14 a total amount of Rs 173,10,19,000 of Demand No 19 for Environment and Forest, tabled by the state Chief Minister Okram today during the 8th day of the 5th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Participating in the Budget discussion, the MLA asked what is the area covered by Moderate Forest and Open Forest in the state on top of the 730 sq km of Reserved Forest in Manipur.
At the present rate, Manipur will turn into a desert in another 50 years, he observed.
He continued that everyone says that people in the hills cut the trees, however they are not cutting the tree not because they want to, but to find a livelihood.
Observing that if the people in the hills are to be asked to stop cutting down of trees, livelihood security measures and schemes should be implemented first, the MLA asked who is responsible for taking up of such schemes and measures.
He also asked the total area under jhumming cultivation and further added that there is also a need to check whether their socio-economic conditions have improved or not.
Further continuing the discussion on Environment and Forest, the MLA continued that that during the discussion on demands for Police during the ongoing Assembly session earlier, the state Deputy Chief Minister who also holds the Home portfolio had said that Assam Rifles and the Army are being utilized in the hill areas.
He had said that this is because of the imposition of the AFSPA in Manipur.
MLA Dr I Ibohalbi had further continued that the Assam Rifles and Army deployed in the hill district continually cut down trees and clear forests by burning down the trees so as to make it suitable for their dwelling.
Participating during the general discussion on Demands for Grants of Demand No 22 for Public Health Engineering also, the MLA asked if there is a water budget in the state.
He said that the government of India is trying to pass a Food Security Bill, however for humans, food can be replaced though there is no replacement for water.
There is no policy to re-use the water used and there is no Wetland Protection Scheme in Manipur, he said.
He continued that due to the failure to preserve the water bodies, several lakes are today drying up and this has resulted in decrease in ground water level.
He further drew the attention of the concerned Ministers to preserve the water bodies and forests in the state.