SonOfZeus: Created page with "{{Short description|A reserved forest in Imphal East}} {{About|a reserved forest in Imphal East district|the associated mountain|Nongmaiching Ching}} {{Contains special characters|Meitei}} {{Infobox forest | name = Nongmaiching Reserved Forest
{{small|(Nongmaiching Forest Reserve)}} | native_name = Nongmaiching Umang | native_lang = mni | native_name2 = | native_lang2 = | photo = Kanglasa.svg | photo_capti..."

2024-02-11T17:15:13Z

Created page with "{{Short description|A reserved forest in Imphal East}} {{About|a reserved forest in Imphal East district|the associated mountain|Nongmaiching Ching}} {{Contains special characters|Meitei}} {{Infobox forest | name = Nongmaiching Reserved Forest <br /> {{small|(Nongmaiching Forest Reserve)}} | native_name = Nongmaiching Umang | native_lang = mni | native_name2 = | native_lang2 = | photo = Kanglasa.svg | photo_capti..."

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{{Short description|A reserved forest in Imphal East}}
{{About|a reserved forest in [[Imphal East district]]|the associated mountain|Nongmaiching Ching}}
{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}
{{Infobox forest
| name = Nongmaiching Reserved Forest <br /> {{small|(Nongmaiching Forest Reserve)}}
| native_name = Nongmaiching Umang
| native_lang = mni
| native_name2 =
| native_lang2 =
| photo = Kanglasa.svg
| photo_caption = The [[Government of Manipur]] is the sole owner of the Nongmaiching Reserved Forest{{efn|The fact that the [[Manipur Government]] is the owner of the Nongmaiching Reserved Forest is popularly discussed as the villagers settling encroaching inside the reserved forest areas tried to oppose the fact violently in recent years.}}
| photo_width =
| map =
| map_caption =
| map_width =
| coordinates =
| county = [[Imphal East]]
| region = [[Manipur]]
| country = {{IND}}
| elevation =
| area = 67 sq km (previously 74.7 sq km)<ref name=":ifp">{{Cite web |title=Forest Facts: Why villagers stopped tree plantation in Nongmaiching Hill? |url=https://www.ifp.co.in/manipur/forest-facts-why-villagers-stopped-tree-plantation-in-nongmaiching-hill |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=[[Imphal Free Press]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":Pothashang">{{Cite web |date=2022-06-08 |title=Forest department clarifies on Reserved Forests and Protected Forests in Manipur {{!}} Pothashang News |url=https://www.pothashang.in/2022/06/08/forest-department-clarifies-on-reserved-forests-and-protected-forests-in-manipur/ |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=Pothashang |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":Signpost">{{Cite web |last=NewsDesk |first=Signpost |date=2022-06-08 |title=Nongmaipal village shifted two times encroaching the reserve forest area - PCCF |url=https://signpostnews.com/nongmaipal-village-shifted-two-times-encroaching-the-reserve-forest-area-pccf/ |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=Signpost News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":e-pao">{{Cite web |title=PCCF sets record straight on Nongmaiching Reserved Forest : 08th jun22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=5..080622.jun22 |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref>
| max_area =
| date_max_area =
| status = reserved (under the [[Indian Forest Act, 1927]])
| established =
| visitation =
| visitation_year =
| events =
* [[Earth Day]]
* [[International Day of Forests]] ([[World Forestry Day]])
* [[Van Mahotsav]]
* [[World Environment Day]]
| authority = [[Government of Manipur]]
| website =
| ecosystem = [[Nongmaiching Ching]]
| classification_WWF =
| classification_EPA =
| classification_CEC =
| disturbance =
| forest_cover =
| species =
| indicator_plants =
| lesser_flora =
| fauna =
}}
The '''Nongmaiching Reserved Forest''' ({{lang-mni|Nongmaiching Umang}}), also unofficially spelled as the '''Nongmaijing Reserved Forest''' ({{lang-mni|Nongmaijing Umang}}),{{efn|The terms "Nongmaiching" ({{lang-mni|{{script|mtei|ꯅꯣꯡꯃꯥꯏꯆꯤꯡ}}}}) and "Nongmaijing" ({{lang-mni|{{script|mtei|ꯅꯣꯡꯃꯥꯏꯖꯤꯡ}}}}) are interchangeably used.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tIBymmBWqgsC&dq=Nongmaiching+%2F+Nongmaijing&pg=PA6 |title=The Lois of Manipur Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai |year=2002 |isbn=9788170998495 |pages=6 |language=en|last1=Devi |first1=Lairenlakpam Bino |publisher=Mittal Publications }}</ref> But "Nongmaiching" is the one mentioned officially in the "Manipur Gazette".<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Iai4CiJApZAC&q=nongmaiching+ching |title=Manipur Gazette |publisher=[[Government of Manipur]] |year=1959 |location=India |pages=4 |language=en}}</ref>}} is one of the eight reserved forests of [[Imphal East district]] of [[Manipur]]. Covering an area of 67 square kilometers, it protects the forests of the [[Nongmaiching Ching]] mountains.<ref>{{Cite web |title=District wise reserve forest of Manipur |url=http://manenvis.nic.in/Database/AreaunderForest_2895.aspx?format=Print |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=manenvis.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Nediljka |first=Gaurina-Medjimurec |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2qOXBgAAQBAJ&dq=nongmaiching+reserved+forest&pg=PA45 |title=Handbook of Research on Advancements in Environmental Engineering |date=2014-11-30 |publisher= IGI Global|isbn=978-1-4666-7337-3 |pages=45 |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
{{See also|Nongmaiching Ching#History}}
On February 16, 1966, it was notified for the first time, under the section 4 of the [[Indian Forest Act, 1927]], that the Nongmaiching Reserve Forest, covered an area of 74.7 square km.<ref name=":ifp">{{Cite web |title=Forest Facts: Why villagers stopped tree plantation in Nongmaiching Hill? |url=https://www.ifp.co.in/manipur/forest-facts-why-villagers-stopped-tree-plantation-in-nongmaiching-hill |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=[[Imphal Free Press]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":Pothashang">{{Cite web |date=2022-06-08 |title=Forest department clarifies on Reserved Forests and Protected Forests in Manipur {{!}} Pothashang News |url=https://www.pothashang.in/2022/06/08/forest-department-clarifies-on-reserved-forests-and-protected-forests-in-manipur/ |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=Pothashang |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":Signpost">{{Cite web |last=NewsDesk |first=Signpost |date=2022-06-08 |title=Nongmaipal village shifted two times encroaching the reserve forest area - PCCF |url=https://signpostnews.com/nongmaipal-village-shifted-two-times-encroaching-the-reserve-forest-area-pccf/ |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=Signpost News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":e-pao">{{Cite web |title=PCCF sets record straight on Nongmaiching Reserved Forest : 08th jun22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=5..080622.jun22 |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

On July 7, 1966, under the section 6 of the Act, the officer of the forest settlement proclaimed an invitation to claims and objections. It was responded by 20 claims. Among them, one is from Yamkhokhai, chief of Nongmaipal village.
The forest survey officer settled the received claims and objections.<ref name=":ifp" /><ref name=":Pothashang" /><ref name=":Signpost" /><ref name=":e-pao" />

And finally, on January 4, 1990, under section 20 of the [[Indian Forest Act, 1927]], it was notified that the area of the Nongmaiching Reserve Forest was 67 square km. It was because an area covering 7.07 square km was spared from the Nongmaiching Reserved Forest areas, for settlement of the villagers. On 17 January 1990, the Manipur Gazette number 41 also published the notification informing about it.<ref name=":ifp" /><ref name=":Pothashang" /><ref name=":Signpost" /><ref name=":e-pao" />

The Nongmaipal village shifted its settlement area twice, from its former place in the years, 1985 and 1995. The villagers had their final settlement at the present site in the Nongmaiching Reserve Forest, violating the [[Indian Forest Act, 1927]].<ref name=":ifp" /><ref name=":Pothashang" /><ref name=":Signpost" /><ref name=":e-pao" />

Later on, the village chief as well as other accomplices, encroaching the reserved forest areas, started stone mining activities as well as human settlements. Under the Indian Forest Act, they were arrested and fined.<ref name=":ifp" /><ref name=":Pothashang" /><ref name=":Signpost" /><ref name=":e-pao" />

On the [[World Environment Day]] 2022, the villagers violently attempted to stop the forest department officials and environment lovers from planting trees in the Nongmaiching Reserved Forest areas, claiming themselves as the authority over the reserved forest areas. Among the violent activities, they even tored the backdrop set up for the [[tree plantation]] drive.<ref name=":ifp" /><ref name=":Pothashang" /><ref name=":Signpost" /><ref name=":e-pao" />
Later, the tribal criminals, including the village chief, were arrested.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seven held as plantation drive ends in chaos : 06th jun22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=23..060622.jun22 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tree plantation turns ugly, 8 detained : 06th jun22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=3..060622.jun22 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

In response to the unfortunate incident happened on the [[World Environment Day]] in the Nongmaiching reserved forest area, a joint meet of Coordinating Body Khurai, Joint Forest Management Committee and Laining Ejaat Kanba formed a committee named the ''"Nongmaiching Laiphamlen And Its Environment Preservation Committee"'' to safeguard the [[Nongmaiching Ching]] due to the fact that the mountain is a sacred place to the [[Meitei people]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Committee formed to save Nongmaiching : 07th jun22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=44..070622.jun22 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

== Geography ==
{{See|Nongmaiching Ching#Geography}}

== Eviction ==
{{See|Eviction}}
On 3 July 2018, the Forest Department of the [[Government of Manipur]] conducted an eviction drive at the illegally encroached areas in the areas of the Awaching (Kobithabi) in Nongmaiching Reserve Forest.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-03 |title=MANIPUR: EVICTION DRIVE AT RESERVE FOREST |url=http://www.indiatodayne.in/manipur/story/manipur-eviction-drive-reserve-forest-395373-2018-07-03 |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=India Today NE |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CM Biren Singh on issues in Manipur |url=https://morungexpress.com/cm-biren-singh-issues-manipur |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=MorungExpress}}</ref>

== Deforestation ==
Hueiyen Lanpao, a newspaper service, inspected the areas affected by 2012 thunderstorm in the villages of Angourok, Sagolock, Awangching and Kangamthabi in [[Imphal East district]]. Many trees were missing, much more than those affected by the thunderstorm. Upon investigation, it was found out that most trees (which were around 20 years old) were cut down inside the Nongmaiching Reserved Forest area.
It was also found out that the villagers living in Keirao, Langdum, Uran Chiru and Yaipharok Maring Khul, cut down the trees during night time and they transported the woods using the trucks during the day time.
They also found out that the officials working in the Irilbung Forest Beat remain silent seeing all the illegal activities of deforestation happening under their nose.<ref>{{Cite web |title=No authority to protect Reserve Forest in state : 26th apr12 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=21..260412.apr12 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=www.e-pao.net}}</ref>

== Forestation ==
{{See|Forestation|Afforestation|Proforestation|Reforestation}}
On the [[International Day of Forests]] 2013, the Forest Department of the [[Government of Manipur]] announced about a program for the replenishment of the green covers of the Nongmaiching.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forest day : 22nd mar13 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=31..220313.mar13 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

On the 73rd [[Van Mahotsav]] ({{translation|Forest Festival}}) in the year 2022, [[Nongthombam Biren]], the then [[Manipur Chief Minister]], led a [[plantation]] drive of plant saplings at the Eshing Chaibi area of the Nongmaiching Reserved Forest.<ref>{{Cite web |last=S |first=Vangamla Salle K. |date=2022-07-08 |title=Manipur: CM leads plantation drive at Nongmaiching reserved forest |url=http://www.eastmojo.com/manipur/2022/07/08/manipur-cm-leads-plantation-drive-at-nongmaiching-reserved-forest/ |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=EastMojo |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-07 |title=Manipur CM assures change in state landscape in 5 years - Eastern Mirror |url=https://easternmirrornagaland.com/manipur-cm-assures-change-in-state-landscape-in-5-years/ |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=easternmirrornagaland.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Challenges in tree plantation programs ==
Claiming authority or ownership of the reserved forest areas, several tribals opposed the [[tree plantation]] programs organised by the Forest Department officials, resulting in violent conflicts many times.

In the year 2017, as a part of the [[Van Mahotsav]] ({{translation|Forest Festival}}) celebration, the forest department officials, along with workers, dug holes for the [[tree planting|plantation]] of tree saplings inside the Nongmaiching reserved forest area. Unfortunately, the [[Maring people|Maring tribals]] living in the Sandang Senba Maring village opposed the [[forestation]] program, by filling up the dug holes and sowing bean seeds, claiming their authority over the reserved forest areas. As a result, there was a strong conflict between the two parties. Later on, upon notifying the provisions of the law, the villagers stopped their actions.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Disputed areas belong to reserved forest' : 03rd aug17 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=6..030817.aug17 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=e-pao.net |quote=As a part of Van Mahotsav celebration, Forest Department hired workers and dug holes for planting saplings on June 15 but villagers of Sandang Senba Maring village filled up the holes and sowed bean seeds. This resulted in a confrontation between the two neighbouring villages .}}</ref>

As a part of the celebration of the [[World Environment Day]] 2022, many environment lovers including the forest department officials of the Central Forest Division tried to plant trees in the Nongmaiching Reserve Forest. However, unfortunately, they were stopped violently by the [[Kuki people|Kuki tribal]] villagers of Nongmaipal village, attempting not to allow the planters the tree plantation activity. Upon investigation, the tribal villagers were found out to be illegally setting inside the reserved forest areas, violating the [[Indian Forest Act, 1927]]. Later, the tribal rebels were arrested under the law concerned.<ref name=":ifp">{{Cite web |title=Forest Facts: Why villagers stopped tree plantation in Nongmaiching Hill? |url=https://www.ifp.co.in/manipur/forest-facts-why-villagers-stopped-tree-plantation-in-nongmaiching-hill |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=[[Imphal Free Press]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":Pothashang">{{Cite web |date=2022-06-08 |title=Forest department clarifies on Reserved Forests and Protected Forests in Manipur {{!}} Pothashang News |url=https://www.pothashang.in/2022/06/08/forest-department-clarifies-on-reserved-forests-and-protected-forests-in-manipur/ |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=Pothashang |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":Signpost">{{Cite web |last=NewsDesk |first=Signpost |date=2022-06-08 |title=Nongmaipal village shifted two times encroaching the reserve forest area - PCCF |url=https://signpostnews.com/nongmaipal-village-shifted-two-times-encroaching-the-reserve-forest-area-pccf/ |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=Signpost News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":e-pao">{{Cite web |title=PCCF sets record straight on Nongmaiching Reserved Forest : 08th jun22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=5..080622.jun22 |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Reserved forests and protected forests of India]]
* [[Heingang Ching]]
** [[Marjing Polo Complex]]
** [[Marjing Polo Statue]]
* [[Kangla]]
** [[Kangla Nongpok Thong]]
** [[Kangla Nongpok Torban]]
* [[Mount Manipur]]
** [[Mount Manipur Memorial]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Nongmaiching Ching}}
{{Wikivoyage|Nongmaiching Ching}}
* [http://e-pao.net/epSearchResults.asp?cx=partner-pub-3342616103029311%3A3788634109&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=Nongmaiching+Reserved+Forest&sa.x=16&sa.y=7 Nongmaiching Reserved Forest] at {{URL|e-pao.net}}
* [https://g.co/kgs/9Ro3XY Nongmaiching Reserved Forest] at [[Google Maps]]
{{Authority control}}

{{coord missing|Manipur}}

[[Category:Reserved forests of India]]
[[Category:Imphal East district]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Manipur]]

Nongmaiching Reserved Forest - Revision history