Nongmaiching Reserved Forest

Last updated
Nongmaiching Reserved Forest
(Nongmaiching Forest Reserve)
Meitei: Nongmaiching Umang
Kanglasa.svg
The Government of Manipur is the sole owner of the Nongmaiching Reserved Forest [lower-alpha 1]
Geography
Location Imphal East, Manipur,Flag of India.svg  India
Area67 sq km (previously 74.7 sq km) [1] [2] [3] [4]
Administration
Statusreserved (under the Indian Forest Act, 1927)
Events
Governing body Government of Manipur
Ecology
Ecosystem(s) Nongmaiching Ching

The Nongmaiching Reserved Forest (Meitei : Nongmaiching Umang), also unofficially spelled as the Nongmaijing Reserved Forest (Meitei : Nongmaijing Umang), [lower-alpha 2] is one of the eight reserved forests of Imphal East district of Manipur. Covering an area of 67 square kilometers, it protects the forests of the Nongmaiching Ching mountains. [7] [8]

Contents

History

On February 16, 1966, it was notified for the first time, under the section 4 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, that the Nongmaiching Reserve Forest, covered an area of 74.7 square km. [1] [2] [3] [4]

On July 7, 1966, under the section 6 of the Act, the officer of the forest settlement proclaimed an invitation to claims and objections. It was responded by 20 claims. Among them, one is from Yamkhokhai, chief of Nongmaipal village. The forest survey officer settled the received claims and objections. [1] [2] [3] [4]

And finally, on January 4, 1990, under section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, it was notified that the area of the Nongmaiching Reserve Forest was 67 square km. It was because an area covering 7.07 square km was spared from the Nongmaiching Reserved Forest areas, for settlement of the villagers. On 17 January 1990, the Manipur Gazette number 41 also published the notification informing about it. [1] [2] [3] [4]

The Nongmaipal village shifted its settlement area twice, from its former place in the years, 1985 and 1995. The villagers had their final settlement at the present site in the Nongmaiching Reserve Forest, violating the Indian Forest Act, 1927. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Later on, the village chief as well as other accomplices, encroaching the reserved forest areas, started stone mining activities as well as human settlements. Under the Indian Forest Act, they were arrested and fined. [1] [2] [3] [4]

On the World Environment Day 2022, the villagers violently attempted to stop the forest department officials and environment lovers from planting trees in the Nongmaiching Reserved Forest areas, claiming themselves as the authority over the reserved forest areas. Among the violent activities, they even tored the backdrop set up for the tree plantation drive. [1] [2] [3] [4] Later, the tribal criminals, including the village chief, were arrested. [9] [10]

In response to the unfortunate incident happened on the World Environment Day in the Nongmaiching reserved forest area, a joint meet of Coordinating Body Khurai, Joint Forest Management Committee and Laining Ejaat Kanba formed a committee named the "Nongmaiching Laiphamlen And Its Environment Preservation Committee" to safeguard the Nongmaiching Ching due to the fact that the mountain is a sacred place to the Meitei people. [11]

Geography

Eviction

On 3 July 2018, the Forest Department of the Government of Manipur conducted an eviction drive at the illegally encroached areas in the areas of the Awaching (Kobithabi) in Nongmaiching Reserve Forest. [12] [13]

Deforestation

Hueiyen Lanpao, a newspaper service, inspected the areas affected by 2012 thunderstorm in the villages of Angourok, Sagolock, Awangching and Kangamthabi in Imphal East district. Many trees were missing, much more than those affected by the thunderstorm. Upon investigation, it was found out that most trees (which were around 20 years old) were cut down inside the Nongmaiching Reserved Forest area. It was also found out that the villagers living in Keirao, Langdum, Uran Chiru and Yaipharok Maring Khul, cut down the trees during night time and they transported the woods using the trucks during the day time. They also found out that the officials working in the Irilbung Forest Beat remain silent seeing all the illegal activities of deforestation happening under their nose. [14]

Forestation

On the International Day of Forests 2013, the Forest Department of the Government of Manipur announced about a program for the replenishment of the green covers of the Nongmaiching. [15]

On the 73rd Van Mahotsav (transl.Forest Festival) in the year 2022, Nongthombam Biren, the then Manipur Chief Minister, led a plantation drive of plant saplings at the Eshing Chaibi area of the Nongmaiching Reserved Forest. [16] [17]

Challenges in tree plantation programs

Claiming authority or ownership of the reserved forest areas, several tribals opposed the tree plantation programs organised by the Forest Department officials, resulting in violent conflicts many times.

In the year 2017, as a part of the Van Mahotsav (transl.Forest Festival) celebration, the forest department officials, along with workers, dug holes for the plantation of tree saplings inside the Nongmaiching reserved forest area. Unfortunately, the Maring tribals living in the Sandang Senba Maring village opposed the forestation program, by filling up the dug holes and sowing bean seeds, claiming their authority over the reserved forest areas. As a result, there was a strong conflict between the two parties. Later on, upon notifying the provisions of the law, the villagers stopped their actions. [18]

As a part of the celebration of the World Environment Day 2022, many environment lovers including the forest department officials of the Central Forest Division tried to plant trees in the Nongmaiching Reserve Forest. However, unfortunately, they were stopped violently by the Kuki tribal villagers of Nongmaipal village, attempting not to allow the planters the tree plantation activity. Upon investigation, the tribal villagers were found out to be illegally setting inside the reserved forest areas, violating the Indian Forest Act, 1927. Later, the tribal rebels were arrested under the law concerned. [1] [2] [3] [4]

See also

Notes

  1. The fact that the Manipur Government is the owner of the Nongmaiching Reserved Forest is popularly discussed as the villagers settling encroaching inside the reserved forest areas tried to oppose the fact violently in recent years.
  2. The terms "Nongmaiching" (Meitei: ꯅꯣꯡꯃꯥꯏꯆꯤꯡ) and "Nongmaijing" (Meitei: ꯅꯣꯡꯃꯥꯏꯖꯤꯡ) are interchangeably used. [5] But "Nongmaiching" is the one mentioned officially in the "Manipur Gazette". [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kangla fort</span> Fortified Palace in Manipur, India

The Kangla with diacritic Kanglā, officially known as the Kangla Fort, is an old fortified palace at Imphal, in the Manipur state of India. It was formerly situated on both sides of the bank of the Imphal River, now remaining only on the western side in ruined conditions. Kangla means "the prominent part of the dry land" in old Meetei. It was the traditional seat of the past Meetei rulers of Manipur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nongpok Ningthou</span> Ancient Meitei God

Nongpok Ningthou, also known as the Sovereign of the East or King of the East, is a deity in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. He is the ruling guardian deity of the eastern direction. Legend says Nongpok Ningthou and his consort Panthoibi were united in the Nongmaiching Ching mountains. Later, they were worshipped as the civilization giving deities in Meitei religion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meitei classical language movement</span> Social movement to make Meitei an officially recognised Classical language of India

The Meitei language movement sought to achieve recognition of Meitei as a Classical language of India. It was supported by various literary, political, social associations and organisations as well as notable individual personalities of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Northeast India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Statue of Meidingu Nara Singh</span> Monument in Imphal, India

The Statue of Meidingu Nara Singh, also known as the Statue of Maharaja Narasingh, is a bronze sculpture located at the Kangla Sanathong, the western entrance gate to the Kangla Fort in Imphal. Meidingu Nara Singh was a Meitei monarch and the sovereign of Kangleipak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kangla Nongpok Torban</span> Indian recreation area

Kangla Nongpok Torban or Eastern Bank of the Kangla is a riverside recreation area, on the eastern bank of the Imphal River in Imphal, Manipur, India. It was developed under the aegis of Imphal Smart City Limited. With the length of approximately 700 metres (2,300 ft), it covers its area from the Sanjenthong Bridge in the South to the Nongpok Thong of Kangla Fort in the North.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 in Manipur</span>

Events in the year 2022 in Manipur

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kanglā shā</span> Meitei dragon lion

In Meitei mythology and Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur, Kanglā shā is a sacred guardian beast with a lion's body and a two-horned dragon's head. It is a royal symbol of the Meitei royalties . The most remarkable statues dedicated to "Kangla Sa" stand inside the Kangla.

The Kangla Nongpok Thong, shortly known as the Nongpok Thong, is the Eastern Gate Bridge of the Kangla Fort of Imphal, Kangleipak . With the re-opening of the modern Eastern Gate of the Kangla, the Kangla Western Gate was closed forever, under the leadership of Nongthombam Biren, the then Chief Minister of Manipur, due to the traditional Meitei belief that the western gate is regarded as the gate of the dead and it is ominous to enter the Kangla through the western doorway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marjing Polo Complex</span> Polo Complex in Imphal

The Marjing Polo Complex is a sports complex dedicated to ancient Meitei deity Marjing, Sagol Kangjei and Meitei horse, built in the hilltop of the Heingang Ching, the sacred abode of God Marjing, located in Heingang, Imphal East district, Kangleipak . It houses Marjing Polo Statue, the world's tallest equestrian statue of a polo player.

The Heingang Ching, also known as the Meitei: Marjing Hill, is a hill in Heingang, Imphal East district of Kangleipak. In Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism), Heingang Ching is a sacred mountain and the home of God Marjing, the ancient Meitei deity of Sagol Kangjei, Khong Kangjei, and Meitei horse.

Nongmaiching Hill or Nongmaijing Hill, also known as the Selloi Langmai Ching, is a hill in the Imphal Valley in Manipur, India. It rises to the east of the Imphal City with a peak at an elevation of 5,133 feet (1,565 m) above sea level. It is a holy pilgrimage site for the Meitei people. In Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism), it is a sacred mountain and the abode of God Nongpok Ningthou and Goddess Panthoibi. In Meitei folklore, the Nongmaiching is described as the hill that produces "the seven days of a week".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lainingthou Sanamahi Kiyong</span> A Meitei temple in Imphal East

The Lainingthou Sanamahi Kiyong, officially known as the Laiyingthou Sanamahi Kiyong, is a temple of God Lainingthou Sanamahi of Meitei religion (Sanamahism), built on the Nongmaiching mountain in the Imphal East district of Kangleipak. It is a center of the Sanamahism followers in Manipur. It is the central body of the "Sanamahi Lainingkol" at Chingoi Maru Langmaiching (Nongmaiching).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board</span> Meitei temple administrative board in Imphal

The Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board (LSTB) is a temple development board of the Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple, Haying Khongban Uphong Yumpham, Imphal West district of Kangleipak (Meitei for 'Manipur'). It is dedicated not only to God Lainingthou Sanamahi and Goddess Leimarel Sidabi of Sanamahism, but also to the other ancient Meitei gods and goddesses of the traditional Meitei religion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Sanamahism Students' Association</span> International organization of students

The International Sanamahism Students' Association (ISSA) (Meitei: Malem Sanamahi Laining Maheiroi Lup), also called the International Sanamahism Students' Association, Kangleipak (Meitei: Malem Sanamahi Laining Maheiroi Lup, Kangleipak), is an international non-governmental organization of students of Sanamahism (traditional Meitei religion). It gives its services to the conservation and the upraising of the practices of Sanamahism in the society. It also draws the attention to the government of Manipur state to take up essential steps to protect Sanamahism from getting extinct.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lainingthou Sanna Mahee Sanna Pung, Kangleipak</span> Meitei religious organization

The Lainingthou Sanna Mahee Sanna Pung, Kangleipak, also known as the Lainingthou Sanamahi Sanapung (LSSP), is a non-governmental organization of the followers of the Sanamahism, dedicated to God Lainingthou Sanamahi and other ancient Meitei deities of Kangleipak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meitei culture</span> Meitei cultural heritage

The culture of Meitei civilization evolved over thousands of years, beginning in Ancient Kangleipak, continuing most notably into Medieval Kangleipak, while influencing the neighboring states and kingdoms, till present times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 in Meitei culture</span>

2022 in Meitei culture, including but not limited to Meitei architecture, Meitei cinema, Meitei cuisine, Meitei dances, Meitei festivals, Meitei language, Meitei literature, Meitei music, Meitei religion, Meitei script, etc.

Heibok Ching, also known as Heipok Ching, is a hill located in the Langthabal region of Imphal West district of Manipur, India. Its biodiversity is protected as a reserve forest by the Government of Manipur. It is regarded as a sacred hill in the culture of Manipur.

The Churachandpur–Khoupum Protected Forest was declared by the Government of Manipur in India in 1966. It is believed to be largely coincidental with the Thangjing Hills range that bounds the Imphal Valley on the southwest. The protected forest designation was relatively unknown until November 2022, when the government issued a memorandum derecognising 38 tribal villages embedded in the forest area, mainly populated by Kuki-Zo people. Amidst the uproar caused by the announcement, a small village called K. Songjang was dramatically bulldozed in February 2023, with the claim that it had encroached into the protected forest. Tensions arising from this event are stated to be one of the causes of the long drawn 2023–2024 Manipur violence.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Forest Facts: Why villagers stopped tree plantation in Nongmaiching Hill?". Imphal Free Press . Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Forest department clarifies on Reserved Forests and Protected Forests in Manipur | Pothashang News". Pothashang. 2022-06-08. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 NewsDesk, Signpost (2022-06-08). "Nongmaipal village shifted two times encroaching the reserve forest area - PCCF". Signpost News. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "PCCF sets record straight on Nongmaiching Reserved Forest : 08th jun22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  5. Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. p. 6. ISBN   9788170998495.
  6. Manipur Gazette. India: Government of Manipur. 1959. p. 4.
  7. "District wise reserve forest of Manipur". manenvis.nic.in. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  8. Nediljka, Gaurina-Medjimurec (2014-11-30). Handbook of Research on Advancements in Environmental Engineering. IGI Global. p. 45. ISBN   978-1-4666-7337-3.
  9. "Seven held as plantation drive ends in chaos : 06th jun22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  10. "Tree plantation turns ugly, 8 detained : 06th jun22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  11. "Committee formed to save Nongmaiching : 07th jun22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  12. "MANIPUR: EVICTION DRIVE AT RESERVE FOREST". India Today NE. 2018-07-03. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  13. "CM Biren Singh on issues in Manipur". MorungExpress. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  14. "No authority to protect Reserve Forest in state : 26th apr12 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". www.e-pao.net. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  15. "Forest day : 22nd mar13 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  16. S, Vangamla Salle K. (2022-07-08). "Manipur: CM leads plantation drive at Nongmaiching reserved forest". EastMojo. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  17. "Manipur CM assures change in state landscape in 5 years - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 2022-07-07. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  18. "'Disputed areas belong to reserved forest' : 03rd aug17 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2023-01-23. As a part of Van Mahotsav celebration, Forest Department hired workers and dug holes for planting saplings on June 15 but villagers of Sandang Senba Maring village filled up the holes and sowed bean seeds. This resulted in a confrontation between the two neighbouring villages .