Raising strong concern over the rampant use of chainsaws to cut down trees in forest areas, Tamenglong district wildlife warden Nehemiah Panmei on Monday said that selling of chainsaw must be made illegal.
Speaking at the 72nd Van Mahotsava celebration at mini secretariat complex Tamenglong as the guest of honour, Panmei urged the district administration and the Forest department to find a means and ways to stop selling of chainsaws to save the forest.
A mass tree plantation drive marked the 72nd Van Mahotsava celebration in Tamenglong district headquarters, jointly organised by the Tamenglong Forest Division and the Rainforest Club Tamenglong.
As many as 5,000 tree saplings were planted in and around the Mini Secretariat complex Tamenglong.
Speaking as chief guest of the function, deputy commissioner Tamenglong Armstrong Pame urged all the citizens of Tamenglong to give utmost care for the protection of the forest and environment. He said it is a huge responsibility to carry forward the necessity to protect and look after the forest.
“It is your right to cut the trees which are grown in your area but it has to be controlled when it goes beyond your needs,” he said.
Encouraging the youths to do something, he said, “Go and collect ‘top soil’ and bring them down to Imphal. They cost Rs 300 per cement bag or start collecting cow dung”.
Superintendent of Police Tamenglong Sandip Gopalash Mohurle, Honorary Wildlife Warden Nehemiah Panmei, PRO to Forest Minister Joseph Riamei and district forest officer Tamenglong Kharibam Hitler Singh also attended the celebration as guests of honour and president of the function respectively. Additional Superintendent of Police Arpan attended as special guest.
The Noney Forest Division along with the Longmai Nature Club also planted tree saplings as a part of the Van Mahotsav celebration at Longmai Part-II, Noney district.
Deputy commissioner Noney, Robert Singh Kshetrimayum, SP Noney Ningshem Vashum, and Napolean Rongmei, MFS, DFO Noney and several other prominent leaders took part in the programme and planted over 2,000 saplings mostly of Camphor and Gulmohar.
The 44 Assam Rifles under the aegis of 22 Sector of Assam Rifles IGAR (E) also celebrated Van Mahotsa and planted tree saplings in and around their camp complex.
