Manipur Forest Officials Demolish 18 Illegal Structures in Heingang Reserve Forest
Forest officials from the Central Forest Division in Imphal East demolished 18 unauthorised structures inside the Heingang Reserve Forest on August 19–20, 2025, as part of an anti-encroachment drive. The operation — led by Range Forest Officers M. Jobid Meitei and S. Robatson Singh with security support from Imphal East Police — aimed to reclaim protected land, stop further biodiversity loss, and send a clear message that reserve forest boundaries will be enforced. Officials said follow-up surveillance and community outreach will continue to prevent re-encroachment.
Small, unauthorized structures creeping into green areas are like that little leak: each one may look harmless, but together they weaken a landscape’s ability to protect people and wildlife. The recent demolition of 18 illegal structures in Heingang Reserve Forest is not merely a local administrative action — it’s an effort to plug holes that, if ignored, can widen into habitat loss, greater flood risk, and irreversible changes in the ecology surrounding Imphal’s eastern outskirts. For residents, environmentalists, and policy makers, this operation is a lens into how enforcement, community engagement and long-term planning meet on the ground
What actually happened: the operation in plain language
Late on August 19 and into August 20, forest officials from the Central Forest Division executed a planned anti-encroachment operation at the Heingang Reserve Forest. The drive dismantled 18 unauthorised structures that were built within the designated reserve area in violation of forest protection laws. The enforcement action was led by Range Forest Officers M. Jobid Meitei (Sadar East) and S. Robatson Singh (Nongmaiching), while the Imphal East Police provided security to ensure the demolition proceeded smoothly and without violent confrontation. District Forest Officer Vikram Nadhe, IFS, reiterated the area’s ecological importance and urged public cooperation with forest boundaries. Officials described the move as part of a broader reclamation strategy and affirmed plans for continued monitoring and enforcement
Who led the enforcement — coordination and chain of command
On-the-ground operations like this are choreography between forest enforcement teams and civil police. In Heingang’s case:
- The Central Forest Division planned and executed the drive.
- Range Forest Officers M. Jobid Meitei and S. Robatson Singh oversaw the field action — these are the frontline supervisors who coordinate clearing teams and ensure legal processes are followed.
- Imphal East Police, under the direction of the Senior Superintendent of Police, provided security and crowd control so the operation could proceed peacefully.
That blend — technical forest authority backed by law-and-order support — is precisely how sensitive eviction or demolition operations are intended to be run: with the legal footprint covered and the safety of personnel and the public prioritized.
FAQs
Q1: How many structures were demolished at Heingang Reserve Forest and who led the drive?
A1: Eighteen unauthorised structures were demolished. The operation was led by the Central Forest Division with Range Forest Officers M. Jobid Meitei (Sadar East) and S. Robatson Singh (Nongmaiching), and it was supported by Imphal East Police.
Q2: Why is the Heingang Reserve Forest important for Imphal?
A2: Heingang serves as a local biodiversity hotspot, helps regulate the microclimate, prevents soil erosion, and supports groundwater recharge — all critical ecosystem services for Imphal East and surrounding areas.
Q3: Were there any clashes or resistance during the demolition?
A3: Authorities reported that the demolition proceeded without incident or resistance; police presence helped ensure the enforcement action remained peaceful
Q4: What measures will authorities take to prevent re-encroachment?
A4: Officials announced intensified surveillance, regular patrolling of sensitive zones, community awareness programmes, and follow-up monitoring to prevent re-occupation of cleared lands.
Q5: How can local communities be involved in protecting Heingang Reserve Forest?
A5: Communities can participate in restoration drives, report suspicious construction, join local stewardship committees, support tree-planting initiatives, and collaborate in sustainable livelihoods programs that reduce pressure on forest land. These measures help transform enforcement into lasting conservation.
