Forest minister appeals for protection of wildlife and environment

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, September 28, 2018: Forest and environment minister Th. Shyamkumar today appealed to Manipur people to help in the protection of wildlife and environment while addressing reporters at his new secretariat office where he said the report of the arrest of one person for allegedly poisoning and killing migratory birds is highly condemnable and unfortunate.

A team of Bishnupur Police Station led by SI Y. Motilal Singh today arrested a person named Khundrakpam Nabachandra Singh, 52 years old for allegedly poisoning and killing migratory birds at Kwasiphai Maning Leikai, Bishnupur district. It is reported that around 20-30 birds, mostly mynas and doves, died due to poisoning by insecticides anucron, super killer and novan among others. The arrested person said he used the insecticides to protect American Peas cultivated in his paddy field. The Police team also found dead birds hanging on sticks which were used to scare the other birds.

Informing the media that the person will be produced before the court for his offence, the minister stated that the state government is working hard and is committed for wildlife and environmental conservation.

The minister said the person if found guilty, can be convicted under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 for which he can be imprisoned for a term which can extend upto three years or with fine which may extend to Rs 25,000 or with both.

Shyamkumar appealed to the citizens in the state to contribute in the effort to save the wildlife and environmental protection and conservation.