Imphal: The Zeliangrong people, a major group of indigenous Naga tribes living in the tri-junction of Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland in India have called for the protection and preservation of their forefathers’ land at the three villages of the Heibok Hills near the Manipur University, Imphal west district.
Maibon Phaomei, president of the Zeliangrong United Committee Manipur Valley (ZUCMV), opposed the Manipur government’s recent decision to designate Heibok Hills as a reserved forest.
They said, the forest conservation efforts of the government should not affect Langthabal Chingkha, Langthabal Chingthak and Langthabal Khoupum villages currently inhabited by the Zeliangrong tribes.
These villagers, the Kabui/Rongmeis (Zeliangrong) were allowed to settle in the area as permanent inhabitants during the reign of the then king, Maharaja Pamheiba, also known as Garibniwas (1709-1748 AD).
The ZUCM president also cautioned authorities concerned to refrain from going ahead with the plan of the Wangoi Forest Division to demarcate the affected villages Langthabal Chingkha, Chingthak, and Khoupum as reserve forests.
The response from the ZUCMV came after Manipur Information and Public Relation Minister Sapam Ranjan, on October 24, announced that the Heibok Hills will be designated as a Reserved Forest.
Notably, Heibok Hills was previously designated as a revenue village under the name “68-Heibok Ching” in a gazette notification issued on December 2, 2014, as per Section 2(w) of the Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms Act, 1960. Dr Sapam said that this gazette will now be amended to reflect its new status as a Reserve Forest.