Forest officials, AR officers confer on checking illegal activities

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 7: A meeting of Forest officials and the top brass of Assam Rifles have deliberated on checking illegal activities in forest areas, regulate trading of forest products and to stop intrusion of illegal immigrants
The meeting chaired by Forest, Environment & Climate Change Minister Th Biswajit was held at his office chamber at Babupara.
Speaking to The Sangai Express about what transpired during the meeting, Th Biswajit said that they held a threadbare discussion to safeguard forest areas, prevent  intrusion of illegal immigrants after the suspension of Free Movement Regime (FMR) and illegal activities in forest areas and to enhance generation of State revenue through forest products.
The meeting also deliberated about regulating illegal trading of forest products under Indian Forest Act, 1927, Indian Forest (Manipur) Amendment Act 2018, Manipur Forest Rules 2021, Wildlife (Protection) Act,  1972 etc.
Further stating that the meeting conferred on the need for cooperation between Forest officials and Assam Rifles to stop illegal trading of forest products and increase the revenue collection of Manipur, the Minister added that the top brass of Assam Rifles agreed to assist the Forest Dept in the  endeavour.
He further said that the Assam Rifles agreed to provide all possible assistance in checking illegal transportation of timber and other forest products.
Appealing to all concerned to stop illegal trading of forest products, Biswajit cautioned that legal actions will be taken up against the defaulters.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Forest) MH Khan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) Chhabra, APCCF Soreiphy Vashum, Chief Conservator (Forest) Joykumar, COs of Assam Rifles units and Birgadiers posted at different hill districts, among others.