Imphal, January 10: Teak plantations are booming in the hill areas of Manipur but complaints pouring in about the "negative impacts" of the practice are immense.

Reports said that wherever teaks are grown no other vegetations can be planted.

The reports added that teaks groves are clean and clear which is enough proof that teaks hamper the growth of other vegetations.

No scientific reason has been put forward till date but the teak farmers know best.

There have also been reports which said that for unknown reason some vegetation which survive near or around the teak trees produce teak smell.

A teak farmer told NNN that he had planted teaks nearby a tea garden and his tea started reeking of teak smell.

No confirmation has been done in this regard but more and more reports on the same line have been coming in.

There are also a few villagers who suspect that teak plantations could bring health hazards to the people living in the teak farms.

Meanwhile, the favourite Yongchak may become extinct soon.

Yongchak plants are withering in large scale in the hill districts of Manipur due to unspecified reasons.

Yongchak cultivators said that this year's produce is extremely poor as the Yongchak plants started drying up on a large scale.

There are reasons to believe that the ecological changes and imbalances brought about by the excessive exploitations of natural resources by people could be the cause.

Birds are being killed in large number every year.

The birds which feed on the insects are decreasing at a fast rate and today the burgeoning insect population thrive on the vegetations thereby impeding the healthy growth of plants.

Some bird species like hornbills which are found in abundance in the Kuilong area under Tamei subdivision in Tamenglong district a decade ago are nearly extinct.

Hornbills have become rare now.

Animals like bears are hunted by the tribals with vigour for their biles.

Biles are bitter substances found attached to the liver of animals.

A big bear biles are sold for the amount anything ranging from Rs 15000 to Rs 40,000 in the black markets.

The skin and bones of tigers are also expensive.

They are said to be sold for some lakhs of rupees.

Skins of otters and the scales of pangolins are also much sought items.

A mature and whole neatly de-skinned otter skins are also reportedly sold for about Rs 8000-10,000 or even more.

With these demands in the black markets hunters are readily opted for the easy and quick incomes.

Porcupines are also on high demand.

The hill people believe that consuming the meat of porcupines cure certain diseases.

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