Green workshop
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 14 2013:
For implementation of Green India Mission in Manipur, a one-day workshop was held today at Hotel Imphal under the aegis of the State Development Agency, Manipur.
Green India Mission is aimed at alleviating livelihood conditions of forest dwellers/tribal people and at the same time preserve forests and biodiversity for healthy eco-system.
The inaugural session of the workshop was graced by Additional Chief Secretary (Forest and Environment) PC Lawmkunga.
Ministry of Environment and Forest Consultant Dr RL Srivastava, State Forest Development Agency Manipur Chairman RK Rana and IIFM Bhopal ex-Director Dr RB Lal were also present on the dais as presidium members.
Dr RL Srivastava stated that the Green India Mission was basically conceived with the objective of combating climate change.
One of the fundamental objectives of the mission is to make 20 million hectares of land covered with forests by 2020 .
Another corollary objective is to enhance annual carbon dioxide absorption capacity of the country's forests to 50-60 million tonnes.
Green India Mission also aims to provide alternative source of livelihood to millions of people who are directly dependent on forests and forest produces.
Moreover, it envisages more pro-active participation of rural youth in all forest conservation measures.
Stating that the Green India Mission should be implemented in a holistic manner, Srivastava conceded that it would be impossible for Forest Department alone to implement the mission successfully.
For successful implementation of the mission, it is crucial to alleviate the standard of living of forest dwellers or who are dependent on forest produces for their livelihood.
PC Lawmkunga noted that conservation and protection of forests is now a huge challenge.
Though everyone is aware that deforestation produces adverse impacts on climate.
Apart from affecting flora and fauna, deforestation and resultant climate change have led to extinction of many species of plants and wild animals.
Asserting that it has become an inescapable duty of mankind to conserve and protest forest all over the planet, PC Lawmkunga invited appropriate recommendations from resource persons for effective and successful implementation of Green India Mission in Manipur.
Five resource persons presented papers in the technical session of the workshop.