Northeast

Team attempts to stop felling of trees from MU gate to Lilong Bridge

As the road expansion work from Canchipur to Lilong Bridge along NH-102 is being carried out to upgrade the 3km stretch of road to a four-lane road,  around 13 ‘Sana Khongnangs’ (Sacred Fig/Peepal trees) growing alongside the road are at the risk of being cut down and it has raised concerns among the public.

ByIFP Bureau

Updated 19 Jan 2022, 4:08 pm

(Photo: IFP)
(Photo: IFP)

Following the public reaction against the cutting of trees for highway expansion, a joint re-survey team of Forest department, PWD (NH and NEC) and Nature Club, Manipur on Wednesday conducted a re-survey concerning the felling of trees from MU gate to Lilong bridge.

As the road expansion work from Canchipur to Lilong Bridge along NH-102 is being carried out to upgrade the 3km stretch of road to a four-lane road,  around 13 ‘Sana Khongnangs’ (Sacred Fig/Peepal trees) growing alongside the road are at the risk of being cut down and it has raised concerns among the public. 

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Some of these Sana Khongnang trees are fully-grown and have been in existence for many decades, while others are still growing. Various organisations expressed concerns about cutting trees and urged not to cut them down. Manipur University students staged protests demanding the government not to allow felling of naturally grown trees in the name of development including expansion of national highways.

Representatives from Manipur University students and the Youth Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) expressed strong points against the cutting of trees and urged to search alternative means without cutting them.

Speaking to the media, PWD, NH-2, SO Somorjit Yumnam said that they will try their best not to cut down the trees. They will find alternative means along with the higher authority, he said.

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Range forest officer, Sadar Hills Ng Ratan said that though no clearance has been given, directions have been given for mapping of trees during which the age of trees etc. will also be determined.

Children of Nature Club, Manipur voiced slogans of saving trees and urged authorities concerned to stop felling the trees and save them.

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Tags:

environmentroad expansionnature clubfelling of treessave trees

IFP Bureau

IFP Bureau

IMPHAL, Manipur

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