There cannot be any agreement with any organisation on forest land which comes within the Reserved Forest Area, the minister said.
TFM Desk
Minister Awangbou Newmai on Saturday appealed to the public not to do anything which will hurt the sentiment of the people or disturb the peace and communal harmony in connection with Mt Koubru.
The Forest, Environment & Climate Change and Sericulture minister, in a statement, said that a meeting was held on April 20, 2021 between representatives of the Committee on Protection and Preservation of Mount Koubru (COPPK) and Letpao Haokip, Minister, YAS & Water Resource and himself, regarding allegation that worshipers are not allowed to go to Mt Koubru.
“During the meeting, an understanding was arrived that anyone who wishes to go to Koubru for worship shall not be stopped by whosoever,” he said.
Awangbou also said during the meeting, he reminded the members that Mt Koubru falls under the Kanglatongbi – Kangpokpi Reserved Forest which was declared as Reserved Forest in 1968 under the Indian Forest Act, 1927.
“And that no activities will be allowed within the Reserved Forest which so ever unless permissible under the Act. Also, there cannot be any agreement with any organisation on forest land which comes within the Reserved Forest Area,” he added.
The minister further stated that Mt Koubru is considered as a sacred mountain by all communities. The massive deforestation at Mt Koubru is unfortunate. Hence, the Forest Department is taking up a plantation programme at Mt. Koubru, he informed.