The Jatropha plantation caught fire because of lack of awareness of labourers in villages located in the eastern fringe of Falam regarding forest fires, though the plantation was said to be developing to some extent. The project was reduced to ashes, said a local in Falam not wanting to be named.

“So far, there is no word from the authorities regarding the plantation being burnt by the forest fire. They are probably wondering what to do”, said another local in Falam.

In April, hill farmers in Chin state torch hillside cultivation. That could have caused the recent forest fire which destroyed the Jatropha cultivation. But the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile, locals from the region where the forest fire occurred are living in fear apprehensive that they might be forced to replant new Jatrophas to substitute the ruined plantations. The authorities have not yet announced a date to re-cultivation. 

In 2003, the military authorities began to introduce Jatropha cultivation with the help of local labour and money. Falam is the place where most of the Jatropha is cultivated in Chin state.

Most of villages are located in the eastern fringes of Falam where the Jatropha cultivation was gutted. There are around 174 villages in Falam. – KNG.