Need For Environment Protection And Ecological Task Force In Manipur
- Part 2 -

Rajkumar Rajendra Singh *

A hill side shorn of its forest cover :: Pix - TSE

How many states in India or anywhere in the world where so many villages and so many immigrants flooding in within 50 years, without any check by the government? What a government.

The only remedy is extension of MLR Act or uniform Land Law.

Based on the above facts I have written the following two articles for public awareness and consideration by the government of Manipur.

OPEN LETTER THROUGH THE EDITOR
Imphal Free Press
(29/3/1999)
Article No. 1
To
The Minister Forest and Environment Manipur.
Subject:- proposal for ecological task force in Manipur.

Sir,

I have the honour to submit the following information and proposal for your kind attention and perusal and also for the attention of other honourable ministers, MLAs and the people of Manipur with the hope that, the Natural beauty of Manipur and Ecological balance of our land be preserved.

With the aim and object of preserving and improving ecological balance in the area of development of the state, in the country and finally in the world as a whole, Ecological Task Forces for enforcing to implement and accomplish the desired task in what the government of any developing country needed. Defence forces are required for safeguarding the independent of the country. Similarly Task Forces to preserve and improve ecological balance for the survival and protection of all the moving and unmoving creatures on earth have been an imperative need. The world have seen and experienced that, the so called natural law governing the human action always required check and control, so as not to cross the limit. Unfortunately human beings have been the greatest destroyers of ecological balance in the world. Indiscriminate cutting down of trees and plants, the unavoidable developments of industries and factories, increasing numbers of locomotives and other means of conveyances , the use of various destructive weapons of war have been the causes of ecological imbalance in many parts of the world. Inspite of all these dangers we have been blessed to counter effectively against all these, by preserving the forest, trees, plants, improving the irrigation facilities and nursery raising etc.

It is very sensible and commendable that Ecological Task Forces have been set up in some states of India. However it is lamentable that such sensible work would have never been dreamt of and initiated in a state like Manipur. The government will not feel or think of such necessity as they remain busy in power struggle, game of corruption and majority game etc. Rather we are afraid that the government may ever be repugnant to such proposal, albeit we must say that, we are lucky and more than happy to give such suggestion. Manipur government should not consider it as wild and crazy proposal since other states had already set up Ecological Task Forces in their states. I myself is very happy to have such an opportunity to express boldly on this issue I care for as it has become a burning issue throughout the world. The old idea, belief and practice, that Forest department and Forest guards will protect and safeguard the indiscriminate cutting down of trees and plants have been discarded as they are no longer effective and helpful due to various factors and under number of unwanted circumstances combined with their own self-centered attitude. Above all, there have been a number of cases of complaints by the Forest department and locals where paramilitary forces and defence personnel were involved in the indiscriminate cutting down of trees. This is one of the reasons why the question of Task Force has to the considered more seriously in the case of Manipur.

In Indian Ecological Task Forces have been set up as (Territorial Army Units). The first forces called 127 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army). Ecological was approved in September 1982 and became operational in January 1983 in Utter Pradesh. The second one called the 128 Ecological Task Force was raised in 1983 for Rajasthan. Another Bn. called the 129 inf. Bn. (TA) Ecological, was raised in 1988 for J&K. These Task Forces have been proved very popular and the excellent work accomplished by these have been commended at various forums. These Task Forces are being exclusively manned by trained and disciplined Ex-servicemen who have exemplary record of service. Another fact is that, the Ecological Task Forces have twin aims-firstly preserving and improving the Ecological balance in the area of development and secondly rehabilitation of trained and young ex-servicemen who had to retire below 40 years of age due to service conditions. Presently the aim is also to recruit young people and give them employment. Such Task Force is the only force who would effectively control any indiscriminate cutting of trees or any irregular activities by any group or Force.

In the beginning, the Ministry of Environment and forest was meeting the entire expenditure on salaries and infrastructure and the state government was meeting the work cost ( of fencing, nursery raising, fertilizers, manures, pesticides, irrigation facilities etc.) Financial burden was initially met by the Ministry of defence and was later reimbursed completely by the Minister of Environment and the concerned State Government. Now the burden has been taken over by the Defence Ministry and all the Ecological Task Forces have been made TA Battalions. Of course Ministry of Environment and Forest also assist them whenever required.

The above facts have been embodied by 127 Inf Bn (TA) Ecological, 128 Ecological Task Force and 129 Inf Bn (TA) Ecological, 128 Ecological Task Force and 129 Inf Bn (TA) Ecological and many newly established Task Forces. These forces have been doing commendable works and therefore we have solid ground to fight for raising such an Ecological Task Force in Manipur. It is regrettable that all the contents of this open letter was given to the "Free Press" for publication in their esteemed daily paper about a year back in the year 1998 but it was never published , the reason of which was best known to them. However I thank Prof. Gangmumei Kamei, Minister of forest and Environment Manipur, who took much interest on this subject and encouraged me to rewrite on this subject for his consideration and action.

The honourable Ministers and MLAs of Manipur will be richly blessed if they make some positive thinking and put a combined effort to raise an Ecological Task Force during this current year so that the Task Force may be operational at the very beginning of the 21st century, bringing a new era of a beautiful green Manipur where the wise Meitei Kwak (jungle crow) and all those beautiful birds would come back with their sweet songs once again and forever.

May God bless all the creatures on Earth.

Yours truly,
R.K.Rajendra Singh
Dated 29/3/99

Article No.2

Before Manipur Government start thinking Assam had already set up two Task Forces namely 134 T.A. Bn. Ecological and 135 TA Bn. Ecological during the last years in 2007-2008. The commendable work, the two Bns. Did in one single year is shown here as examples.

Annex-3 and Annex-4
ECOLOGY AND SIXTH SCHEDULE

The ecological balance of Manipur will only be maintained by the preservation of forests and lakes of Manipur. Taking the forest alone, till today an area of 17685 sq. km. out of 22,327 sq.km of Manipur is covered by the forests. This constitutes about 79% of the total geographical area of the state. Presently lake covers 600 sq.km in the valley area of 2,238 sq.km. So, it can be well-imagined about the implication of the forests so far ecology of Manipur is concerned. On the basis of legal status, the forests classification and coverage area are as follows. It is also to noted that the area of coverage of the Reserve forests have been much reduced due to the settlement and encroachment by the Kuki people. In the valley Reserve forests covers 282.55 sq.km out of which much more than 100 sq.km. have been occupied by the tribes.

I. Reserved Forests – 1,463 sq. Km. 8.3 % ( reduced at least by few hundred of sq. Km.) Forest villages have been established by Kukis with valley penetration plan and future 'Kuki State.'
II. Protected Forests- 4,171 sq. km. – 23. 7% - more than 50 % have been occupied by Kuki immigrants from Myanmar.
III. Unclass Forests- 12,051 sq. km. 68% more than 50 % deforested and settled by Kuki .

The Reserved Forests and protected Forests are supposed to be under the State control. The ownership of the unclassed Forest is still unresolved. A separate Forest Legislation of the state is under preparation to resolve the issue. Taking advantage of the ambiguity in ownership, there have been preparation to resolve the issue. Taking advantage of the ambiguity in ownership, there have been uncontrolled deforestation in the hills, and since the unclassed forests covers as much as 68% of the total forests areas, a large part of the forests is now degraded effecting the ecological balance in the state. Therefore the only means is to control all the forests under one single category-namely Reserve Forests under the sole ownership of the state, preserving and protecting it with the help of Ecological Task Forces. These task forces can effectively take up the plantation of Industrial and Commercial species including medicinal plants, social forestry, preservation of wild life and rubbers plantation etc. Of course, the government have to plan and take up some essential transport network to reach the forests.

Forests have ecological, environment and economic implications for the whole state of Manipur. It is coterminous with the livelihood of the people of Manipur. Forests are source of food as well as fuel. However any kind of destruction, indiscriminate cutting down of trees, uncontrolled burning of forest etc. have immediate direct effect to the valley. As a result Manipur lost 4 months of winter season out of 6 months.

Since older days, when the kings were ruling the state, it had been established facts known from the experiences that whenever there were uncontrolled burning of forests in the hills, let it be for jhum cultivation or for any kind of purpose, the immediate effect was flood in the valley during the rainy season, followed by drought after the rainy season. Naturally it had to be followed by famine which affected both the valley people and hill people. The flood water not only killed the food crops, paddy and granary of the state but also caused the death and disease of the people. In fact Manipur Valley (rather call it plateau) is the granary of the state which has to be preserved and protected by all means. Diversion of cultivated or agricultural land should not be allowed and at the very first stage, the low hills should immediately be planned for the construction of residential, industrial and government buildings to develop township and urbanized localities with educational institutions and other facilities. Hills and valley are parts or limbs of a whole body which cannot be separated or mutilated. Now, it is worth mentioning and is food for thought, about the facts how the kings/Maharajas controlled the excessive burning of the forests in the past and what could happen if it is left the be controlled by some other authority who will not be effected by the flood.

(a) The Role of Kings/Maharajas: Whenever there was excessive or uncontrolled burning of forests anywhere in the hills areas, the king advised, warned or ordered the particular village Chief to control the situation where the uncontrolled burning took place. If the Chief was found negligent of such order or warning , he was punished.

(b) What may happen if Sixth Schedule is implemented: Reference to Sixth Schedule para 3. Powers of the District Councils and regional Councils to make laws with respect to- Para 3.

(I) (a) The allotment , occupation or use or setting apart of land other than any land which is reserved forest for the purpose of agriculture , or grazing or for residential or other non-agricultural purpose or for any other purpose likely to promote the interest of the inhabitants of any village or town.

Note I: So, many of the forests will be changed into agricultural land grazing grounds, residential places or other non-agricultural e.g. industrial complex, Hotel industries, tea estates, educational institutes etc. The forests which had been controlling and regulating the rain water for the survival of the valley will be vanished into phases. Thus valley people will become victim of both Natural and artificial calamities.

Note II: Not satisfied with the above powers, one time C.M. of Manipur wanted to include the word "Transfer" in between words "Allotment" and "Occupation" Reference his letter to S.B. Chavan, dated 23 May 1995. ( Cited above in Sub para (1)(a).)

(I)(b) Management of any forest not being reserved forest;
(I)(c) The use of any canal or water-course for the purpose of Agriculture;
(I)(d) the regulation of the practice of jhum or other forms of shifting cultivation.

It is therefore clear from the above facts that in case of implementation of Sixth Schedule, the authority to control the 91.7% of the forests will be the autonomous District Councils and Regional Councils. Soon, the districts will become Autonomous State and full fledged State step by step according to the aim and object off Art 244. A ( constitution 22nd Amendment) Act 1969.

According to the new study on the impact of global warming some 80 % of Arctic ice may disappear in 30 years. We must remember that Manipur is also in this planet. There should not be any question that we should remain silent and unconcerned inspite of the danger of global warming and calamities in our planet. Ecological Task Force are urgent requirement for Manipur. I would like to conclude this part of my article giving my opinion that valley cannot survive when it suffers as a victim of perpetual natural or man-made calamities as a result of political failure and crisis of corrupt, inefficient government of majority uneducated political leaders.

Concluded ...