People for Animals (PFA), Manipur on Thursday claimed that the Makhuam (Marangching) landslide was an artificial, manmade disaster and commended the state government for initiating measures to redo an environment and social impact assessment of the railway project.
In a release, PFA, Manipur stated that the signing of an MoU with North Frontier Railways indicates that the Marangching incident was not a natural disaster. Although the damage is already done, redoing the assessment will be helpful in preventing future disasters, it added.
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PFA further questioned the competency of the report submitted by the state level and district level environment assessment committee before the railway project was commenced. “The Marangching incident proves that eco-fragile regions like Manipur are prone to such devastating incidents,” PFA stated.
It further raised concern that after the completion of the railway project, the loud vibrations and pollution from the movement of trains may cause several other disastrous events. The huge toll on the surrounding environment caused by the railway project should be considered in order to conserve the regional flora and fauna, it added.
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PFA continued that the social impact caused by the railway project to the surrounding villagers should also be considered. A suitable path for the villagers should be paved, in order to let the surrounding environment flourish, it stated.
The development of projects such as for tourism purposes which are not of high necessity should be avoided in an eco-fragile and biodiversity hotspot region such as Manipur as it may affect the surrounding flora and fauna, it added.
