CCSK launches mass tree plantation drive
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 19 2021:
With the main objective to plant saplings at different parts of the state, the Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK) launched its 'Sanghanlasi Iramdam' mission at Chadong village in Ukhrul district Thursday.
Under the guidance of the forest department, CCSK in coordination with Chadong villagers and Union of Private Rehabilitation Centre Kangleipak (UORECK) planted several saplings of different varieties around Chadong village on the launch day of the mission.
DFO Central Division RK Amarjit, who attended the launch function, lauded the role of civil society organisations and people to protect natural environment in Manipur.
He also appealed to people and organisations to procure from the forest department saplings as they could grow properly compared to plantation of saplings randomly collected from unregulated agencies which mostly fail to reach maturity.
He also expressed desire to plant saplings at scenic sites of Manipur.
As per Indian Forest Act, 1927, many areas in Manipur are being declared as reserved forests from time to time but there are signs of deforestation and depleting forest cover.
Forest department could not guarantee protection of such reserved areas due to inconvenience
and logistics shortcomings of the department.
However, 100 firearms have been procured and they will be handed over to forest guards after completing proper training, he added.
Regarding the mission, CCSK president Jitendra Ningomba said it is targeting to plant 50,000 saplings of different varieties as part of the mission and tree plantation drive conducted around Chadong village Thursday was part of the mission.
He appealed to Chadong villagers to take proper care of the saplings planted Thursday till the trees grow fully.
He also said that the organisation is planning to plant saplings at different parts of the state.
According to Jitendra Ningomba, there were some gaps between hills and valley due to lack of communication until sometimes back thereby creating differences between communities.
However, the trust deficit between people of the hills and valley have been dissipating gradually since the past around one year or half, he noted and assured to exert pressure on the government for initiating developmental projects in Chadong village which is not too far from Imphal.
The launch function of the mission was also attended by RO Sawombung Konsam Raghu, deputy ranger Napetpali Dr Sharat and Chadong villagers.