"Protection Of Forest State's Responsibility": Minister Amid Manipur Unrest
NDTV
Southern Manipur's Churachandpur district witnessed a series of violent incidents including arson and vandalisation of government properties since Thursday night.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav on Sunday said that the protection of forests is the sole responsibility of the state government.
"Forest land has always come under the ownership of the state government. The 1927 Forest Act became a state subject after independence. But after the 1976 amendment, forest land came under state and centre. The ownership of the forest always lies with the state government. The protection of the reserve forest and protected forest land is the sole responsibility of the state government," Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav told reporters.
The Union Minister's statement comes at a time when tribal groups have been agitating against a drive by the state government to evict them from reserve forest areas.
Southern Manipur's Churachandpur district witnessed a series of violent incidents including arson and vandalisation of government properties since Thursday night. There were no reports of fresh incidents of violence on Sunday.
