Eco-tourism as alternate source of livelihood mooted
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 14 2018:
As an initiative for making eco-tourism as an alternate source of livelihood and uplifting poor economic condition of the people living in the hills of the State, 19 Assam Rifles of 28 Sector AR under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) will provide sewing machines and other equipments for garments making to the villagers in Khengjoi Sub-Division of Chandel district.
This was announced by Commandant of 19 AR of 28 Sector, Anand Singh Bajpai while addressing an awareness programme conducted on the theme "Ecological Environment and Climate Change cum Demo on Disaster Management and Rescue Operation" which held on May 12 at Toitung village, Chandel district.
The programme was organised by 19 AR of 28 Sector AR in collaboration with Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) .
Speaking as chief guest, Commandant Anand Bajpai said that he has already discussed the matter of providing sewing machines and other equipments for garments making with the higher authorities of Assam Rifles and there is a plan to take up the initiative initially in a village under Khengjoi Sub-Division under a project of Military Civic Action Programme.
Highlighting the impact of climate change and global warming, he observed that providing an alternative source of livelihood to those who rely on forest would go a long way towards the endeavour to conserve forest and maintain ecological balance.
He also assured that the Assam Rifles will extend every possible help to the villagers of Chandel district and other civilians in the State apart from safeguarding the State and the country as a whole.
Attending the function as the guest of honour, L Sanaremba, Deputy Ranger, Forest Beat Office, Chandel District stressed on the importance of conserving forests and adhering to the rules and regulations of certain Acts related to forest in the effort to conserve forests.
He opined that the present generation should delve into the worsening state of environmental degradation and its various impacts.
He also called for preservation and conservation of forests in the State and appealed to the public to extend cooperation to the activities carried out by the State Forest Department.
Delivering presidential speech at the function, Bijoy Kakchingtabam, MMTA president said that eco-tourism can be an effective source of income generation in the State as many areas particularly in hilly areas have rich potential for it.
He added that enthusiasm of the respective villagers/locals and sincere efforts of all the authorities concerned are must to make eco-tourism into reality in the State.
Plantation and distribution of tree saplings, demonstration of disaster management and rescue operation as well as slides presentation on eco-tourism were the main events of the function.