Our Correspondent
Imphal, Sep. 15 (EMN): The use or conversion of agricultural land and wetlands into buildings and commercial purposes will be put on hold with the help of digitised cadastral maps by the government.
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthpombam Biren Singh chaired cabinet meeting has taken a decision in this regard recently.
Manipur conservation of paddy land and wetland Act, 2014 was implemented in the state with effect from Sep.10, 2014. However, unauthorised conversion of lands for buildings and commercial uses continues to take place in violation of the Act.
With a view to check such illegal conversions, the cabinet decides that a Data Bank with details of paddy land along with the survey numbers will be created with the help of cadastral maps combined with satellite images of paddy land. The status of paddy land will be identified through preparation of digitised cadastral maps on the basis of satellite images of paddy lands existing as at the commencement of the Act i.e. September 10, 2014. The Data Bank shall be put in public domain on the websites of the Departments of Revenue and Agriculture.
“All applications for conversion of paddy land and wetland shall be examined with reference to such data/maps,” the official sources said. “Moreover, violations if any detected on the basis of such digital maps will be detected and penalised as per provisions of the Act.”
The Deputy Commissioners of all districts have been directed to comply with the above decision strictly and ensure that no conversion or reclamation of paddy land and wetland is allowed until further instructions.
