'Saplings sans polythene bags'
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, July 03 2019:
Forest and Environment Minister Th Shyamkumar has conveyed that from the next year, there will be a total ban on the use of polythene bags for making plant/tree saplings.
From the next year plastics will be replaced by biodegradable material for making saplings in the nurseries under the Forest Department, he added.
He explained that the move follows a circular from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), directing all the State Governments to ensure no further use of polythene bags in the nurseries.
The forest officials are instructed to ensure that nurseries under them go plastic-free from the next planting season and the Forest Department has been instructed to explore alternatives to raise seedlings, he informed.
He made the statement during a tree plantation programme at Ngariyan Ching, Imphal East, ahead of the 12th State level Pineapple Festival cum Sellers and Buyers Meet and Youth Festival, 2019, which will start tomorrow at Thambalnu Market Complex, Andro A/C, Imphal East.
The Minister was accompanied by Forest Department officials and the contestants of the 'Pineapple Queen' Contest.
Speaking about the tree plantation programme, Th Shyamkumar said that the tree plantation programme has been organised as an initiative to save the environment and to motivate the farmers of the State.
Lauding all the stakeholders for participating in the programmes which are held across the State in collaboration with the Forest Department, he said that he is immensely proud and happy to see the participation of people from different walks of life in the bid to save the environment.
Making an earnest appeal to the people of the State to support the Green Manipur Mission launched by Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Shyamkumar expressed desire for the support of the people to continue and for the Forest Department officials and other stakeholders to be able to nurture the trees till maturity.
The tree plantation programme held today was also a part of the week long Van Mohatsava 2019 celebration.
The 12th State Level Pineapple Festival cum Sellers and Buyers Meet and Youth Festival, 2019 will be organised by the Development Organisation Andro Kendra (DOAK) under the aegis of Eastern Border Area Development Authority (EBADA) under the sponsorship of the North Eastern Council (NEC) from July 4 to 7 .