While distributing the arms through the concerned officers at the headquarters of Forest department in Imphal, Singh said, ‘for the last many years we have been waiting for such an occasion, as such a step would boost the morale and confidence of the forest personnel on duty.’
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and head of forest force Dr. AK Joshi; Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Soreiphy Vashum; divisional forest officers, deputy conservator of forest, parks and sanctuary were also present during the occasion.
‘We will be distributing 49 arms to those who underwent basic training, while the remaining arms will be distributed (to more forest personnel) after completion of the training.’
Manipur forest department have procured 40 pump action rifles and 60 double barrel guns to better equip field staff for management of forests. It may be mentioned that 49 Forest Guards and Foresters have been trained in arms handling and operation at Manipur Police Training College, Pangei in the outskirts of Imphal.
The government also started consolidation of all Reserve Forests and Protected Forests and addressing the issue of illegal encroachment on forest lands. Forest divisions are key instruments of enforcement of forest and wildlife laws and deal with the varied issues such as illegal timber transit, illegal mining and quarrying, illegal sawmills, hunting, etc., according to a press note of the Forest department.
During Tuesday’s arms distribution function, Biswajit who also holds agriculture and power portfolios admitted that humans cannot exist without nature while citing that ‘we have to preserve and protect nature for posterity’.
On the issuing of arms, he said it should be handled with care.
On March 6, the state Chief Minister N Biren Singh had also chaired a review meeting on activities to be taken up by the Forest department - CM Green Manipur Mission, Green India Mission, Wildlife Habitat, State Plan Activities and Major Programs of Forest Departments in Imphal.
A day ahead of chairing the forest meeting, Biren Singh had also distributed 10 high-performance blowers to the state fire services personnel to effectively combat wildfires taking place in the hills and forest areas.