Imphal, March 28: To prevent agricultural land and wetlands in Manipur from being misused, a new body christened as Manipur Agriculture and Wetlands Protection Organisation has been floated.

The new body was reportedly formed during a public meeting which was also attended by representatives of JAC Against the Construction of NIT at Kiyamgei Loukon, North Eastern Imphal United Clubs and Meira Paibi Organisation (NIUCAMO) and other social organisations at Canchipur College of March 25.Announcing this during a press conference at Manipur Press Club here today, president of the newly floated body Sanajaoba Kamei pointed out that construction of houses and other business establishment on agricultural land and filling up wetlands for similar purposes has directly affected the productivity of the land in Manipur.

Out of the State's total geographical area of 22,327 sq kms, valley comprises of only 2,238 sq kms, and out of which cultivable agricultural land constitutes only 1.90 lakh hectares.

However, most of this agricultural land has been misused today by constructing houses and other business establishments.

It is to stop this unhealthy trend and protect the existing agricultural land from being misused that the body has been set up, Sanajaoba said.

Secretary of the body Jiban Chingakham observed that the proposal for setting up the NIT at Kiyamgei Loukon is a good thing for the State and its people.

But taking over agricultural land for the said purpose is not advisable.

It would be better to make use of some wasteland for this purpose, he added.

The Manipur Agricultural and Wetland Protection Organisation has been set up not just to protect the Kiyamgei Loukon, but it would also work for the protection of all the agricultural and wetlands located in different parts of the State, Jiban said, while appealing to all the people for extending their support and co-operation in the Manipur bandh being called by the JAC on April 2.NIUCAMO secretary Ginjoy welcomed formation of the new body dedicated to a cause which NIUCAMO has always been fighting for.

NIUCAMO would be extending every possible assistance to the newly floated organisation, he assured.

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