IMPHAL: Chief minister N Biren Singh on Monday led other dignitaries in the first-ever tree plantation programme in the state being taken up in a reserve forest area in Kangpoki district.
The mass plantation programme, organized by Manipur forest and department, was taken up at Mangjo village, Kangpokpi Reserve Forest, in connection with the 72nd Van Mahotsav 2021.
Speaking on the occasion, Biren maintained that every land in the state belongs to the government, and it has the authority to use those lands for purposes which are meant for the development and welfare of its people.
Forest minister Awangbow Newmai raised concern on the alarming rate of deforestation in the state.
Newmai informed that about 400 square kilometers of forest had been cleared every year, and with this rate, the state would lose almost all its forest cover in near future.
Biren appealed to the public to co-operate in the development policies and projects taken up by the government and refrain from thinking that their lands independently belong to them, said a statement issued by the CM's office.
