Observance of Environment Day-2022 begins
Source: Chronicle News Service

Thoubal, June 01 2022: A five-day long observance of World Environment Day-2022, which is being organised by Bibatsu Foundation Manipur in collaboration with Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Committee (WBCC), Manipur, commenced from Wednesday with a painting competition for students held at Wangjing Canteen ground.

During the observance, saplings would be planted and various awareness programmes organised in different parts of Thoubal district.

The opening function of the observance organised under the theme 'Only One Earth' was attended by Chandel Forest Division assistant conservator of forest (ACF) Naorem Munal Meitei, Yangoupokpi Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary.

Moreh range officer M Biren, Pallel Forest beat officer (BO) Md Sallaodin, CADA Manipur president Hijam Priyokumar, IRE Group of Institution principal Narengbam Rajivkumar and environmental activist Maibam Memma as presidium members.

On the first day of observance, students from various schools of the district participated in a painting competition, out of which 10 winners were presented with prizes.

The attendees also planted saplings around Wangjing Canteen ground.

Speaking on the occasion, ACF N Munal pointed out that the state has been witnessing drastic environmental changes in the past 20 years and cautioned that the situation will only worsen if the trend continues.

While stating that degeneration of the environment due to unrestrained deforestation activities in the hills is the primary cause for humans staring at an uncertain future, the ACF, however, opined that the situation will improve if all communities of the state join hands in protecting the forests.

Even if the forest cover in the valley area, which is geographically only 10 per cent of state, could be conserved, there would be serious ecological imbalance in Manipur in case rampant deforestation activities in the hill areas, which constitute 90 per cent of state's geographical area, do not cease, he said.

Addressing the gathering, Bibatsu Foundation Manipur secretary Ksh Premdash informed that during the five-day observance being held with the support of Unified Rural Development Organisation, Aquila Academy Keishampat, Oja Bijoy Book Store Thoubal and WBCC, various awareness programmes on environment, quiz competition and planting of saplings will be carried out.

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