Former Manipur Lok Sabha MP Mani Charenamei drew the attention of state Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Awangbow Newmai to take up necessary care to cause minimum damage to the wildlife sanctuaries and save the virgin forest from destruction while constructing the Tamenglong-Tousem-Halflong road and Tamenglong-Dikiuram-Peren road.
A letter written to the minister by the former MP stated that the ecosystem of the rich biodiversity of the virgin forest has been completely destroyed by anthropogenic agents.
Moreover, the making of roads without a proper forest protection action plan in place, have dramatically enhanced the loss of many valuable forestry crops and destruction of habitats of many rare wild floras and faunas, it added.
“It is imperative to point out that there is a strong possibility of the virgin forest being completely destroyed when these two roads are constructed if proper care is not taken to cause minimum damage to the wildlife sanctuaries, otherwise the purpose of declaring the Jiri-Makru catchment forest and Bunning/Piulong forest as wildlife sanctuaries with a view to conserve the rich and unique ecosystem will be defeated”, the MP said in the letter.
He also appealed to the minister to come out with a comprehensive action plan for a sustainable development programme for the people living in forest areas of Tamenglong-Tousem-Halflong road and Tamenglong-Dikiuram-Peren road.
The MP also sought implementation of Forest Working Plans in letter and pirit under strict supervision of the forest officials.
