New Delhi, June 21: While highlighting various measures to protect the rapidly declining environment, Minister of State (Independent charge) for Forest and Environment N Biren said punitive action would be initiated against security force officials/personnel if they are found involved in timber trade.

Talking to The Sangai Express at his office chamber today, Biren revealed that he has received information that para-military force officials posted at Chandel and Ukhrul districts are clandestinely involved in timber trade in connivance with some traders.

Even though the matter is yet to be authenticated, Forest Department personnel have been issued strong instructions to verify the security forces' involvement so that complaints could be lodged to the Central Government for appropriate punitive action as timber trade has already been prohibited by a Supreme Court ruling.

As the para-military force comes under the purview of the Union Home Ministry, a strong case need to be filed through production of concrete proof of involvement of security force in the banned trade, said the Minister.

As part of the State Government measures to protect the environment, indigenous trees would replace eucalyptus trees planted along the national and State highways as well as those growing hear Govt establishments, informed the Minister.

On being queried, Biren said growth of eucalyptus trees destroy the soil content in addition to roads cracking due to excess absorption of water by this type of trees.

To preserve the soil texture and check damages to roads indigenous trees would be planted to replace the eucalyptus, he maintained.

The replacement process will begin from near RIMS area in the first phase and at a later stage would cover areas located near Govt offices.

On steps to preserve the environment, he said special attention would given to cleanse the State waterways with stress along Naga and Nambul river banks which the Minister described as an eyesore of the State capital.

In consultation with Revenue Department officials notices would be issued for eviction of unhygienic lavatories constructed along these river banks under the River Conservation Act, Biren said while informing of taking up a Nambul river project.

Appealing to the public and NGOs in protecting the Loktak Lake and maintaining cleanliness around the capital city, Biren also urged upon the general public to dispose waste at appropriate location rather than embrace the habit of throwing waste all over the city.

On the proposed Nambul river project, the Minister said representatives of United States Agency for International Development DU Asnani and United States-Asian Environment Partnership Gaorab Majumdar had arrived at Imphal to discuss on the project.

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