States » EastPosted at: Jun 20 2025 12:13AM


Manipur forest department warns against unauthorised extraction of forest produce

Imphal, June 19 (UNI) Divisional Forest Officers of Kangpokpi and Jiribam districts in Manipur today issued warnings to all not to destroy forest areas.
DFO, Jiribam, Elangbam Nirmala said there is an increased incidence of unauthorised extraction and illegal transportation of forest produce, particularly hill earth, sand, boulders, and other minor minerals, taking place under the guise of flood relief and infrastructure restoration activities.
She said under Section 2(1)(iv) of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and the Manipur Forest Rules, 2021, hill earth, stone, sand, and other such materials are notified as "forest produce". Accordingly, any removal or transportation of such materials without a valid permit, payment of royalty, and issuance of a transit pass constitutes a punishable offence under the above laws, she added.
She further said High Court's Order dated 02.07.2019 in PIL No. 5 of 2019 imposes a total ban on unauthorised stone quarrying, sand mining, and related activities in riverbeds unless a valid license or lease has been issued in accordance with law.
In view of the above and under powers vested by the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and the Manipur Forest Rules, 2021, the government has decided to order to stop any unauthorised excavation, collection, or transportation of hill earth or other forest produce in forest areas.
Operators of JCBs, excavators, and other earth-moving or loading equipment are forbidden from operating within or around forest lands without proper authorisation. Violation will result in immediate seizure o f machinery under relevant sections of law, she added.

Vehicles including trucks, tippers, and dumpers found carrying illegal forest produce without valid documents will be seized, and prosecution will be initiated against the vehicle owner and driver, she further said.

Frontline forest staff have been instructed to conduct round-the-clock surveillance and surprise checks at all forest area entry/exit points. She urged all contractors, transporters, and machinery operators to strictly adhere to forest conservation laws and refrain from engaging in or facilitating any illegal extraction of natural resources.
Violators will face strict legal consequences, including seizure of assets and criminal proceedings. She also appealed to the public to report any suspicious activity involving illegal excavation or transport of forest produce in the area. The identity of informants will be kept confidential, she added. Similar appeal was also made by DFO of Kangpokpi, Amandeep.

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