Uniform assistance must to poppy planters, Loktak fishers
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: December 17, 2022 -
Similar to the initiatives being taken up to discourage poppy plantations in the hill areas through extension of material, technical and financial support to the farmers, the government must chalk up feasible policies to help the fishing community, who had been dependent on the Loktak Lake since time immemorial, so as to ensure alternative means of livelihood in case projects aimed at improving condition of the fresh water body are likely to affect the lake's dwellers.
Compared to poppy cultivation, which is mainly driven by the prospect of living life with worldly comfort in case of successful harvest of the drug producing flower plant, the Loktak Lake dwellers are struggling every day to ensure two square meals a day as many of them don't have homestead land or agricultural field.
Considering the serious adverse impact on the environment due to extensive decimation of forests for poppy plantation and social implication owing to drug smuggling and abusing, the government has been rightly prioritising towards weaning away the hill area villagers from poppy cultivation under its War on Drugs mission.
The official launch of the Alternative Farming System for Tribal jhumias/Poppy Planters in Churachandpur, Pherzawl, Noney, Tamenglong, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Ukhrul, Kamjong, Tengnoupal and Chandel districts on Thursday demonstrates determination of the government to make the anti-drug mission a successful endeavour.
If the project fructifies then it's obvious that the state wouldn't face the embarrassment of huge consignment of different narcotic drugs transported from Manipur being seized and peddlers arrested in different parts of the country almost on a daily basis.
Thus, it is imperative that either the hill district administrations or the village authorities be tasked to oversee judicious implementation of the alternative farming scheme for failure to reap fruit of the noble project might compel the poor farmers to return to their old ways of poppy plantation.
Moreover, as the scheme launched under the Eastern Border Areas Development Authority (EBADA), Manipur is being funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong, the latter might not be impressed with other projects proposed by the state.
Speaking at the distribution function,' chief minister N Biren raised concern over the impact of global warming and noticeable adverse change in the state's weather pattern but there is no doubt that the government's emphasis is to convince the poppy cultivators pursue conventional farming.
At the global level, release of industrial waste and toxic gases might be the primary cause of environmental pollution but in Manipur's context it is the large-scale deforestation, including the recent trend of massive poppy plantations.
While rapid depletion of the natural forest cover is a cause of concern that the government must address at any cost, it is equally important to maintain the fragile ecology of the Loktak Lake.
As ousting the entire fishers from the lake would be gross violation of their rights to life and livelihood, it is desired that the government limit the number of floating huts and extend necessary assistance to promote cage or pen fish farming, which is environment friendly, less arduous and comparatively profitable than the traditional methods of fishing.
* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.