CEP concern over jhum burning

Aizawl, Jan 13(UNI) Concerned over extensive destruction of biological resources in jhum burning, Aizawl-based Centre for Environment Protection has urged the state government to take up stringent measures to contain damage as a total abolition of jhumming was impossible.

In a statement here today, CEP urged the government order all village councils to enforce Mizoram Prevention and Control of Fire in the Village Ram Rules, 1983 and Lushai Hills District (Jhumming) Regulations, 1954, after necessary amendments.

The CEP had also advised the government to conduct legal awareness more extensively and entrust environment experts to do awareness campaign.

Emphasising that scientific study of forest fire and its impact is an urgent need, the CEP demanded that scientific management plan be initiated by the government. The group also advocated for empowerment of stakeholders and bottom-up system in making plans and programmes. About 80 per cent farming in the state still depends on primitive slash and burn cultivation.

UNI ZS LL RN1727