Biswajit kick-starts Save Singda Movement
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 16 2022:
While Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Thongam Biswajit kick-started Save Singda Movement today, the State Government has set a target of planting one crore tree saplings at different catchment areas.
Led by Th Biswajit, many officials planted a number of tree saplings at Singda catchment area today under Kangpokpi Forest Division to mark the launching of Save Singda Movement.
Additional Chief Secretary (Forest and Environment) MH Khan, PCCF AK Joshi, Chief Conservator of Forest (T-2) L Joykumar, Kangpokpi DFO N Ganesh and many other high ranking officials took part in the tree plantation programme.
Speaking at the gathering, Biswajit said that shrinkage of forest areas has severely affected the State's environment and ecology while wanton deforestation activities have led to frequent landslides.
Informing that the State Government led by Chief Minister N Biren is determined to protect the State's environment and has identified several key catchment areas, Biswajit said that the Government has set a target of planting once crore saplings at different catchment areas starting from Singda catchment area.
Stating that cooperation of the people, particularly those residing near catchment areas is indispensable to make the Government's initiative successful, Biswajit appealed to all the people to plant trees and save environment for the sake of mankind and future generations.
He said that the Forest Department has been working to take up certain programmes in order to ensure that the saplings which would be planted at catchment areas survive and grow.
As it would be impossible for Forest officials to monitor each tree on the ground, DFOs would be provided with drone cameras, the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister said.
Informing that the State Government has been considering to arrange alternative sources of income for people dependent on forest and forest produces, Biswajit appealed to all concerned to stop clearing forest areas for poppy cultivation but come to the Forest Department to study possible alternative sources of income.
The Government had repeatedly appealed to all poppy planters to stop their illegal enterprise.
Now the Government would take up stern action against all poppy planters, he warned.