Kamalanagar, 17 May 2024: The Environment, Forest & Climate Change Department of the Chakma Autonomous District Council has taken a decisive action against illegal deforestation activities in Borapansury. On 15 May, 2024, an FIR was lodged with the Borapansury Police Station against Shri Bira Kumar Chakma of Borapansury-II, for unauthorized felling of trees for jhum cultivation in the reserved forest area.
The FIR, filed by Shri Daya Moy Dhammei, District Council Conservator of Forests, stated that Bira Kumar Chakma has been engaged in felling of trees in the Village Forest Reserved of Borapansury-I, covering approximately 8.5 hectares. This act violates Sections 14 and 15 of the CADC Forest Act, 1992, which strictly prohibits the unauthorized use of reserved forest areas.
The complaint further cited a notification issued by the Government of Mizoram on April 20, 2020, which cancelled all agricultural land passes within notified reserved forests. In compliance, the Executive Committee of CADC cancelled all the passes including that of Shri Bira Kumar Chakma within the Village Supply Reserved Forest of Borapansury-I & II on October 9, 2023. As a result, he no longer has any legal right to use the land.
The Village Council President of Borapansury-I, had earlier lodged complaints against Shri Bira Kumar Chakma for his encroachment and illegal activities. Despite multiple requests and a warning letter issued by the District Council Conservator of Forests on March 4, 2024, directing him to stop all activities, he continued his illegal activities.
The FIR further stated that Shri Bira Kumar Chakma had breached state governmentβs directives by burning jhum beyond the prescribed deadline of March 15, 2024. It was observed that he conducted the burning on April 23, 2024, violating the guidelines set by the Fire Prevention Committee of the state and district.
In light of these persistent violations, the complainant has urged the authorities to arrest Shri Bira Kumar Chakma and take appropriate legal action to prevent further illegal activities.