Financial support sought for CM's Green Mission
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 26 2023:
Forest Department has sought financial contribution from all sections of the society including government departments, NGOs, CSOs, public and business houses towards 'Chief Minister's Green Manipur Mission' .
A press statement issued by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) & Head of Forest Force (HoFF) Dr AK Joshi informed that the state government launched the ambitious 'Chief Minister's Green Manipur Mission' on June 22, 2019, under the leadership of chief minister N Biren, to increase the area under Tree outside Forests (ToFs) and green cover of the state by adopting Agro-for-estry models on community lands, farmlands, jhum-lands and wastelands.
The mission is implemented by village Panchayat/village authority or any other registered and recognised expert agency authorised by the village panchayat/village authority.
During 2020-21, capacity building-cum-awareness programmes were conducted in all the districts and 4.2 lakh seedlings of economically important tree species were raised.
In the year 2021-22, 56 beneficiaries comprising village authorities, individuals, NGOs, local organisations from all districts were identified and plantations were taken up in an area of 330 hectares.
The areas identified were mostly farmland, community land, jhum-land, private lands, wasteland, and barren unclassed forest.
During 2022-23, 73 beneficiaries from 13 districts were identified and recommended to the government for taking up plantation in an area of 306 hectares.
More efforts are, however, required to halt the continuing deforestation and to sustainably manage the state's forest resources.
The mission promotes biodiversity, helps in improving the forest and environment, creates habitats, generates income, and combats the ill effects of climate change.
The society is increasingly exposed and vulnerable to natural hazards owing to extreme weather and climate events including floods, forest fires, heat waves and other phenomena.
The forest department solicits all possible help, support and cooperation from all stakeholders including the civil societies and local communities; and makes an earnest appeal to all to join hands in the mission for making a greener Manipur.
Accordingly, all departments, government/non-government agencies, private entrepreneurs, business houses, philanthropist organisations, individuals, CSRs, CSOs, and the public are requested to make generous financial contributions to the 'Chief Minister's Green Manipur Mission' to make a positive contribution to the environment and natural resources, the statement said, while calling for making it a mandate to plant more trees for a healthier, fairer and greener future.
For further information, one may contact the department through email ID: [email protected], the statement added.