CHANDEL: A Forest Fire Prevention Awareness programme was held at the Maha Area Chiefs Association Hall, Panchai, Chandel district, organised by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Chandel on Thursday.
The awareness programme witnessed the participation of 51 village headmen, members of CSOs, Self Help Groups and local residents, with around 150 people attending the event.
Among those who addressed the gathering were Francis Thamdok, president of the Chandel Naga People’s Organisation (CNPO), N. Munal Meitei, DFO/Chandel, J.S. Angam, chairman of the Maha Area Chiefs Association, and N. Deepa Devi, RFO/Chandel.
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Speaking at the programme, N. Munal Meitei stated that Manipur was once covered by 75.46 per cent forest area, making it one of the most forest-rich regions.
He highlighted that Chandel district, with a total geographical area of about 2,100 sq km, still retains nearly 1,815 sq km under forest cover, making it one of the largest forested districts in the state.
However, he expressed concern over the growing threats to forest resources due to shifting cultivation, hunting, tree felling and forest fires.
Citing data from Global Forest Watch, she said that Chandel district alone recorded a loss of 44 sq km of forest area up to 2024.
He pointed out that forest fires, often triggered by human activities, have become one of the major causes of forest degradation, affecting biodiversity and the ecological balance.
Munal appealed to the village chiefs to take collective responsibility in preventing forest fires in their respective villages.
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He urged them to spread awareness, identify and penalise those responsible for deliberately setting fires, and to adopt traditional methods of controlling wildfires.
He stressed the importance of community vigilance and the revival of indigenous fire-control practices to protect forests.
Francis Thamdok, president of CNPO, highlighted the importance of prevention, stating that “Prevention is better than cure” when it comes to forest fires.
He called for collective community action and urged village authorities to extend full cooperation to the Forest Department.
2He also emphasised that protecting forests is not solely the responsibility of the department, but of the people of Chandel whose livelihoods and environment depend on them.
In his concluding appeal, Munal urged the public to safeguard forests, refrain from hunting wildlife and take strict measures to prevent forest fires, calling upon the media to convey the appeal to the public.