19 Chandel villages resolve to conserve nature, fight climate change
Source: The Sangai Express

Chandel, December 20 2019: Altogether 19 Chothe villages in Chandel district have decided to establish Community Conserved Areas and ban felling of trees in catchment areas to conserve water.

The decision was taken during a consultation on climate change at the United Tribal Development Project (UTDP) office at Chandonpokpi village organised by CLAM (Chothe Lim Abom Manipur) yesterday.

Addressing media after the consultation, CLAM president Thao Minthing Chothe said that 19 villages including Chandonpokpi (Phaipi) village, Chumbang, Leirungtabi, Lainingkhul, Tampakkhul, Chandropoto, Ajouhu, Langhu, Salemphai, Ziontlang, Old Wangparal, New Wangparal, Lungle and Bethel etc have been facing water scarcity for the past few years.

19 Chandel villages resolve to conserve nature, fight climate change

Identifying the cause of the water scarcity to be climate change, he said that the villages representatives and chiefs have decided to encourage afforestation, ban felling of trees in catchment areas to conserve water and recharge the underground aquifers.

To mitigate climate change and promote the river and village ecosystems, he said that community conserved areas will be established.

UTDP chief functionary Y Romeo Chothe told media that of the 19, nine villages already have Community Conserved Areas.

Afforestation in catchment areas and protecting its ecosystems will mitigate climate change's effects and help avoid landslide, flash flood and other natural calamities, he added.

The decision to establish Community Conserved Areas doesn't mean banning of 'all activities', but regulation on the exploitation of natural resources to meet sustainability.

Felling of trees will be monitored and regulated effectively not to affect the catchment areas, he said.

CLAM former president Th Malsawm identified forest fire as one of the main reasons for depleting forest cover in hill areas.

Human encroachments, river sand mining, excavation of earth and rocks from hills and river beds have drastically affected the forest and river ecosystems.

If these activities are not regulated and banned effectively, human population will become wanderers once again in search of a favourable place for shelter, food and water, he added.

The consultation was attended by chiefs of villages.

Chothe Chiefs' Association chairman RK Thaninjao lauded the villages chiefs for their commitment towards conserving nature.