Forest day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 21 2013:
A cycle rally themed 'Save Forest: Make a Green Manipur' was organised by Forest Department, Manipur in connection with the International Day of Forest 2013 observance today.
The rally was flagged off from Irilbung High School ground.
Addressing the observance participants prior to the cycle rally flag-off, Divisional forest Officer (DFO) Bondhaja announced that the State Forest Department would launch an intensive programme to replenish the green covers of the Baruni hill range (Nongmaiching) as soon as the Central Government approves proposal on a Baruni preservation project.
The rally participated by over 300 students and youths from Keirao areas covered Kongba, Ayangpali Road, Lamlong, Telipati, New Checkon, Palace Gate and Wangkhei Road before winding up at the starting point.
As chief guest of the observance, Imphal East Zilla Parishad Adhyaksha K Tombi Singh stressed on the urgent need for checking deforestation activities, including jhum cultivation and deliberate burning of forests.
Pointing out that along with disturbing the ecological balance destruction caused to forests is harmful to the wildlife, he said effective measures need to be worked out and implemented to save the environment.
Chief Conservator of forest (Central Circle) Th Mahendra Pratap Singh highlighted that observance of International Day of Forest is to remind all the people about the importance and benefits of forest to human kind.
Stating that the observance was initially held as World Forestry Day since March 15, 1972, the forest official conveyed that with forest considered as 'lungs of the Earth' every citizen should contribute their mite in checking devastation caused to the environment failing human beings will have to face the consequences earlier than expected.
Further pointing out that preserving forest means neutralising carbon dioxide emission from various sources, Mahendra Pratap said protecting the Nongmaiching environment should be the responsibility of every Manipuri citizen.
He also took grim note that the erstwhile densely-covered baruni hill range is wearing a barren look with each passing year due to rampant felling of trees for timber and firewood as well as plantation activities.