Imphal, Sept. 20 -- Residents and commuters along Manipur's Imphal-Moreh Road (National Highway-102) have reported significant environmental improvements around the Waithou Protected Forest following a major anti-encroachment drive and subsequent reforestation initiative.

According to former Thoubal Divisional Forest Officer Dinesh Chandra Salam, the turnaround began on June 12, 2022, when authorities evicted 69 illegal structures within the protected zone.

The Forest Department subsequently secured a seven-hectare tract with fencing and planted thousands of native saplings.

Four years into the initiative, the burgeoning canopy has begun bearing fruit, effectively restoring wildlife habitats for various bird and reptile species.

Envir...