Rally marks Earth Day 2012 observance
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 22 2012:
As is observed throughout the world, the Earth Day 2012 was also observed in the state along with taking out a rally to save the Mother Earth here today.
The event was jointly organised by Directorate of Environment, Government of Manipur and Women's Environmental Protection Force (WEPF), Manipur.
The rally was flagged off by RK Nimai, Commissioner of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur from Utra Shanglen, Palace Gate.
From there, the rallyists proceeded to Kangla through the Southern gate and then passed through Khuyathong Road before returning to Kangla through the western gate, where the rallyists planted tree saplings.
After the tree plantation, the main function was held at Kangla Hall with VK Thakral, Principal Secretary of Forest and Environment, Government of Manipur and RK Nimai, Commissioner of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur as Chief Guest and President respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, VK Thakral said that to save the earth from environmental degradation all of us need to join hand and help each other.
The government or the concerned NGO alone cannot save the environment.
He further said that the movement to save the Mother Earth was started in the year 1970 and gradually it spread all over the world.
Today all the nations of the world are facing the impact of environmental degradation.
It is not the time to wait for big projects to save the earth.
We should all take up initiatives to save the earth.
Delivering the Presidential address, RK Nimai noted that we only blame the people of the hills for cutting down the trees and balding the hills as the main cause for the environmental degradation.
The drying up of wetlands of the state which were abundantly available earlier was equally responsible for degrading the environment.
Apart from this, use of chemical fertilizers thereby making the soil acidic is also a major cause of environmental degradation.
So if we have to save the environment we all need to change our lifestyle, though we may be facing some problems initially.
We need to think globally but act locally.
Dr Th Sobita, Founder Acting Secretary, WEPF also spoke on the problems faced by the people due to the environmental degradation at
the observance.