Army pledges aid to MMTA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 21 2010: Impressed with the activities of Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA), the Army has assured to donate adventure equipment to the tune of Rs 5 lakhs to the association today.

The announcement was made by 57 Mountain Division GOC Maj Gen DS Hooda during his visit to MMTA's adventure and leadership park at Lamdan, about 10 kms from Ningthoukhong Bazar.

"MMTA has been doing a wonderful job, there are lots of adventure activities which can be done in Manipur, and we want to promote it", the GOC said.

GOC 57 Mountain Division DS Hooda with other security officials and MMTA functionaries at the Lamdan institute

Expressing gratitude to the Army for the goodwill gesture, MMTA President L Surjit said, "We need such help from the GOC (Army), because, if fully equipped, MMTA may train not only the State youths but also the youngsters from the whole North eastern region" .

The State Government has also been co-operating with most of the activities taken up by the association, he added.

Earlier, MMTA's key functionary Ibungochoubi did a Powerpoint presentation in the presence of MPCC (I) General Secretary Victor Keishing, Maj Gen DS Hooda, MMTA members and other senior Army officers.

In his presentation, Ibungochoubi said MMTA was established with an aim to explore the untouched beauties of Manipur.

Apart from adventure and eco-tourism activities, MMTA has been delivering service in the field of social work as well.

He said that MMTA members were actively involved in distributing relief materials to victims during 1994 Naga-Kuki conflict.

Acknowledging the service of MMTA, villagers allowed the association to develop the adventure and leadership park at Lamdan by gifting a 500-acre land.

Informing that there are many more adventure activities which can be explored in the State, Ibungochoubi said that MMTA is planning to set up white water rafting facilities at Barak waterfalls in Tamenglong district.

He also said that as setting of white water rafting facility needs huge investment, Ibungochoubi expressed hope that Army would extend needful co-operation in this regard.

In view of the chaotic and polluted environment in Imphal areas, he also stressed on the need to promote rural tourism by setting up tourist huts in different parts of the State.

Later, GOC Maj Gen DS Hooda, Victor Keishing, senior Army officers and MMTA members had a look of various facilities installed at the adventure park.