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Dimapur, June 19 (EMN): In an effort to combat climate change and ecological imbalance as well as to conserve the flora and fauna, Nkio Students’ Union (NSU) has unanimously resolved to put a ‘blanket ban’ on all illegal timber operations and hunting of wildlife, especially for commercial purpose within its territorial jurisdiction.
The union, in pursuance to its memorandum submitted on May 19, 2022, and subsequent reply from the office of Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Peren, on May 29, 2022, resolved to strictly prohibit the illegal extractions of timber that has been in practice within its territory.
Based on the reply provided by the Forest department, the union stated that every timber operation carried out under Nkio jurisdiction was undisputedly illegal. It, therefore, appealed to all the illegal timber operators to abstain from undertaking activities such as sending man force (labors), animal draughts, and heavy machinery. An update from the union media cell stated that it would stand unwaveringly to ensure that no illegal activities are allowed within its jurisdiction.
It lamented that for many years, because of the ignorance of the village authority and the laxity of the concerned department in executing their responsible work and duty, the invaluable forest cover and natural vegetation have been disfigured and destroyed enormously. It affirmed that the union would not allow even a single naturally grown tree to be felled down illegally any further.
Besides, in the interest of rejuvenating the forest, it stated that any form of approval ‘to fell trees’ from the department, village council, or even government would not be allowed to be implemented at Nkio at any cost.
It stated that any individual or group, who ignored its cautions and continued with illegal activities, would be held responsible for any mishap that might occur.
The union also urged the village authority and loggers to initiate a ‘complete eviction drive’ against all the prevailing illegally established structures - man force (labors), animal draughts, heavy machineries and sawmill from Nkio on or before the last day of June 2022. It further cautioned to initiate its own course of action against anyone failing to comply with its directives and added that the union would not be held responsible for any loss to life and property.