AIZAWL: The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Mizoram chapter, which has successfully fought for the return of the historic Waterloo cannons to Aizawl and forced the Indian Air Force (IAF) to shift a radar station in southern Mizoram, is now training its guns on the proposed sports academy at the source of the river Tlawng, the longest river of the state.
P Rohmingthanga, convener of the INTACH Mizoram chapter, said the IAF's radar station and the state sports academy were proposed to be established at Zopuitlang and Saireptlang near Zobawk, a few km from south Mizoram's Lunglei town.
"The two projects, if implemented, would destroy the rich biodiversity of the area," Rohmingthanga, a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, said.
He said part of the proposed station was abandoned by the IAF after the INTACH, the local NGOs in Lunglei district and the environment and forests department officials raised objections.
"We asked the Chief of Air Staff to plan and develop the remaining cantonment area in such a manner so that it doesn't affect the rich bio-diversity of the forests, enhance the heritage value of the Zopui and Sairep mountains," he said.
He added that they also appealed to the IAF authorities to minimize pollution in the cantonment area to be established as the rivulets flowing from the proposed radar station cantonment are the sources of Mizoram's most important river - Tlawng.
The IAF authorities, including the Vice Chief of Air Staff and the Air Defence Commander of the Eastern Air Command, gave written assurances to the INTACH Mizoram chapter that they would do everything possible to ensure environmental protection and sustenance of the rich bio-diversity of the two mountains while planning and executing the project.
The INTACH Mizoram chapter was, however, disappointed with the state sports and youth services department for refusing to shift the proposed state sports academy from the base of Zopuitlang, adjoining a small stream which is part of Tlawng's source.
~ TOI
P Rohmingthanga, convener of the INTACH Mizoram chapter, said the IAF's radar station and the state sports academy were proposed to be established at Zopuitlang and Saireptlang near Zobawk, a few km from south Mizoram's Lunglei town.
"The two projects, if implemented, would destroy the rich biodiversity of the area," Rohmingthanga, a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, said.
He said part of the proposed station was abandoned by the IAF after the INTACH, the local NGOs in Lunglei district and the environment and forests department officials raised objections.
"We asked the Chief of Air Staff to plan and develop the remaining cantonment area in such a manner so that it doesn't affect the rich bio-diversity of the forests, enhance the heritage value of the Zopui and Sairep mountains," he said.
He added that they also appealed to the IAF authorities to minimize pollution in the cantonment area to be established as the rivulets flowing from the proposed radar station cantonment are the sources of Mizoram's most important river - Tlawng.
The IAF authorities, including the Vice Chief of Air Staff and the Air Defence Commander of the Eastern Air Command, gave written assurances to the INTACH Mizoram chapter that they would do everything possible to ensure environmental protection and sustenance of the rich bio-diversity of the two mountains while planning and executing the project.
The INTACH Mizoram chapter was, however, disappointed with the state sports and youth services department for refusing to shift the proposed state sports academy from the base of Zopuitlang, adjoining a small stream which is part of Tlawng's source.
~ TOI
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