Mobilise the earth call echoes through on Earth Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 22 2012: Along with a rally, Earth Day observance was held at Kangla under the joint aegis of Earth Day Network and Women's Environmental Protection force (WEPF), Manipur.

The observance held in collaboration with the Directorate of Environment was attended by Principal Secretary (forests & Environment) VK Thakral and Commissioner (Art & Culture) Dr RK Nimai as the chief guest and president respectively.

The theme for the observance this year is 'Mobilize the Earth' .

speaking at the occasion, VK Thakral, who is also the Principal secretary for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj informed that the concept of Earth Day observance started in the United States of America in 1970 with over a billion people taking part in the observance.

Taking into account rapid change in the climatic condition and consequent negative impact on the environment, the chief guest called upon every citizen to contribute their mite in protecting the environment.

Rally taken out on the occasion of Earth Day

Pointing to problems of water scarcity in the State since the past few years as a clear warning of the degrading environmental condition, VK Thakral strongly advocated extensive campaign for tree plantation and protection of forests.

The Principal Secretary also mooted that there is need for public-private partnership for effective implementation of environmental protection activities.

Delivering the presidential address, Dr RK Nimai said apart from the increasing population and the resultant diminishing forests cover throughout the world, development activities have also had an adverse impact on the environment for natural water bodies and vast wetlands have to be filled up to execute development works.

Despite most part of the world with pleasant climatic conditions considered to be a convenient place for human settlement, the substantial impact on the environment in the last few decades has resulted in the average global temperature hovering in the 37-38 degree celsius, said the Commissioner.

Unrestrained deforestation and filling up of wetlands in Manipur will only aggravate the situation in the near future, cautioned Dr Nimai, who cited disappearance of a number of water bodies in and around Imphal areas as one of the causes for the people having to endure problem of drinking water scarcity for the last few years.

Suggesting extensive and effective mechanism to check environmental pollution, he opined that the common people can contribute towards protecting the environment by practising healthy living and ensuring that water bodies, including rivers flowing through the capital city are not polluted.

Hockey Manipur vice president Y Memma Devi, Special Secretary (Forests & Environment) Dr AK Joshi and Director (Environment) Dr M Homeshwor Singh were also present at the Earth Day observance in connection of which the chief guest flagged off a rally that covered various points inside the historic Kangla.