UKL meet seeks alternative livelihood for poppy farmers
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, May 16 2022:
With crackdown on illicit poppy cultivation gaining momentum across the state, an urgent need to support the poppy growers with a viable alternative means of livelihood to dissuade them from continuing the same illegal farming has emerged.
In this backdrop, a daylong consultation workshop on 'Alternative Livelihood for People in Poppy Cultivated Areas of Ukhrul District' was organised at the DRDA training hall in the town here on Monday.
The workshop was attended by official representatives from various relevant government departments and NGOs as well as civil society organisations of the district.
During the interaction part of the programme, TNL vice president K Tuisem, TNWL president SA Ramnganing, TSL president L Thingreiphi, TKS president R Shimri and Kuki Inpi, Ukhrul president Paokholal Baite reiterated the collective stand of the district's CSOs to ban the illicit cultivation.
They also urged the state authorities to provide viable alternative livelihood means to all poppy cultivators as well as requisite assistance to poor farmers to root out the menace of poppy cultivation in the district.
At the same time, the CSO leaders also enquired if the law enforcement agencies have made any arrest or booked anyone in connection with the illegal cultivation in the district.
Sharing her experience, Christina Awungshi, a local apple grower, encouraged farmers to take up legal farming like apple instead of poppy for fast cash.
Ukhrul DFO Shanngam Shali gave a presentation on the impact of poppy cultivation on environment, while CMO Dr Kapangring shared about the impacts of poppy plantation.
Ukhrul SP Saujanya Singh and SP/NAB K Meghachandra made presentations on the legal perspective of poppy cultivation.
As a part of the programme, all the participants took part in a signature campaign on 'Pledge Against Illegal Poppy Cultivation'.
The participants jointly took the pledge to support and co-operate with the chief minister s call for 'War on Drugs' campaign by participating in the destruction of poppy cultivation.
They further pledged to spread awareness in villages about the harmful effects of poppy cultivation and the need to eradicate illegal poppy cultivation and encourage the people engaged in poppy cultivation for alternate means of livelihood for a better future.
As per the pledge, the participants vowed to encourage the youth to stay away from poppy cultivation and drugs for a healthy future and to support and contribute their best to work for complete destruction of illegal poppy cultivation and other illicit drug business for a better society.
They also pledged to immediately share any information related to poppy cultivation to the authorities concerned.
The daylong event concluded with a mass procession 'Walk against Drugs' from Mini Secretariat, Hamleikhong to ZEO office, Phungreitang, in the evening.