ZRA-EC and ZVC Conduct Field Inspection in Kansau Area, Zogam, Amid Serious Concerns Over Illegal Logging and Timber Transport
Tedim, Zogam — The ZRA-EC and ZVC have conducted a field inspection in the Kansau area of Zogam, in response to growing concern over widespread illegal tree cutting, unsustainable forest depletion, and the reported transport of timber toward the Indian border.
The field inspection found evidence of extensive unauthorized logging in the area. Of particular concern is the severe reduction of pine trees, which local observations indicate are being felled and transported out of the area. The scale and pattern of this activity raise urgent environmental, social, and community protection concerns for the people of the surrounding region.
Illegal logging is not merely an environmental offense. It is a destructive activity that undermines ecological sustainability, weakens community resilience, threatens water sources, increases the risk of soil erosion and land degradation, and endangers the long-term safety and livelihood of local populations. The destruction of forests also compromises the inheritance and stewardship of the land entrusted to the people for future generations.
During the field mission, ZRA-EC and ZVC personnel issued direct warnings to vehicle operators and individuals involved in timber transport. They made clear that the transportation of illegally cut timber must stop immediately and that any continued involvement in such activities may result in enforcement action under applicable local protective measures.
The inspection team also documented the condition of affected sites and observed the extent of damage in areas where tree cutting had taken place. This action forms part of broader efforts to safeguard Zogam’s land, forests, and natural resources from unlawful exploitation and to reinforce public responsibility for environmental protection.
In an interview conducted over the internet, Commander-in-Chief Pu Zo Thang emphasized the broader civic and moral responsibility tied to the protection of the land. He stated:
“The protection of Zogam’s forests is the protection of our people, our land, our water, and our future. Therefore, every Zomi citizen is responsible for upholding this duty in our God-given and forefathers’ inherited Zogam.”
His statement underscores the principle that environmental protection is inseparable from the defense of the people, the preservation of ancestral inheritance, and the safeguarding of the common good. It also reflects the collective obligation of all citizens to protect the land and natural resources of Zogam with responsibility, vigilance, and unity.
ZRA-EC and ZVC reaffirm that the protection of forests, water sources, and community land is inseparable from the protection of human dignity, public welfare, and sustainable development. Preserving the natural environment is essential not only for the present generation but also for the survival, security, and future well-being of generations to come.
All residents, transport operators, local stakeholders, and surrounding communities are urged to cooperate in halting illegal logging, reporting suspicious activities, and supporting the responsible stewardship of Zogam’s land and resources.
ZRA-EC & ZVC
Tedim, Zogam
