NONGPOH, April 18: Around 2,000 bamboo seedlings planted at a forest in Umskun village, Ri-Bhoi, were set on fire by miscreants, president of Ri-Bhoi Tourism and Environmental Development Forum, Plielad Tiewsoh, said on Tuesday.
The incident reportedly occurred on April 12.
Expressing concern over the incident, Tiewsoh said that the bamboo seedlings were planted under the scheme from the North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council for the year 2021-2022. The seedlings had been growing for a year and had almost reached a height of two feet.
Condemning the incident, the forum urged people to not engage in burning forests.
The forum has called upon authorities to take immediate action against the miscreants and ensure that such incidents do not recur.