Manipur: Ownership of forest land lies with state government: Union Forest Minister

This statement gains significance as it comes in the backdrop of the violent protests that had rocked Churachandpur in Manipur just couple of days back over survey of forest land

Union minister Bhupender Yadav seen with Manipur CM N Biren Singh

Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Bhupender Yadav today said that the ownership of forest land lies with the state government and that it is the responsibility of the state government to protect the forest areas.

This statement gains significance as it comes in the backdrop of the violent protests that had rocked Churachandpur in Manipur just couple of days back over survey of forest land conducted by the state government and eviction done to protect reserved forest land.

When asked if protection of forest areas was a state subject or Centre’s subject, the Union Minister said that it is the Constitutional responsibility of the state government to do so.

The Union Forest minister said, “The ownership of forest land is always with the state. According to the Forest Act 1927, after Independence the forest was a subject of the state but after amendment in 1976, it was included in the concurrent list, under the Centre and the state. But as far as ownership is concerned, it lies with the state government. To protect the Reserve Forest and Protected Forest and keep it safe, it is the responsibility of the state government, it is a Constitutional responsibility. Accordingly, the state government has to protect the forest.”

Reacting to the Manipur government’s forest land survey and eviction driver, the Union Minister said, “The government is performing its duties as per rules, regulations, law and the Constitution, so whatever Constitutional responsibility has been entrusted on the Manipur government, it is working as per these aspects. The Manipur government is performing its duty with full efficiency to safeguard the environment and the forests.”

The locals of Manipur have been upset about the fact villages inhabited by the tribals or land under private ownership has been wrongly declared as reserved forest area, protected forest area, protected site, and a wildlife sanctuary, among others.

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