Manipur observes World Wetlands Day at Leishang Hiden
Imphal, Kongba rivers to be beautified
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 02 2025: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has announced that a beautification project to make Imphal and Kongba River banks aesthetically pleasing will be taken up with a budget of around Rs 86 crore.

Speaking as the chief guest during a World Wetlands Day observance at Leishang Hiden at Canchipur today, the Chief Minister continued that people seem to have forgotten the cultural and historical significance of Leishang Hiden.

He said that the Government chose to hold the World Wetlands Day at Leishang Hiden as an acknowledgement of the cultural and spiritual importance of Leishang Hiden, which is deeply rooted in Meitei tradition and folklore and to promote conservation.

Manipur observes World Wetlands Day at Leishang Hiden

The World Wetlands Day was organised by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change under the theme "Protecting wetlands for our common future" .

Saying that the Government won't allow erection of permanent shops at Leishang Hiden, he asked the shopkeepers to use movable structures to sell goods at the site instead of occupying permanent space.

The development project on the eastern side of Leishang Hiden is nearing completion, he said and added that a cycling track and an open gym will be constructed at the site.

Speaking about the crisis in Manipur, N Biren said that people are expressing their discontent and frustration towards him for identifying illegal immigrants.

Saying that United States President Donald Trump has also started a crack down on illegal immigrants, he added that Manipur needs a leader like Donald Trump.

He sought support from the people in the Government initiative to protect Manipur.

People of Manipur are currently facing challenges and hardships due to the consequences of past appeasement policies, he said.

Further stating that a project to rejuvenate Lamphelpat is underway with a budget of Rs 640 crore, the Chief Minister said that the Government has been putting in efforts to evict the encroachers from Lamphelpat.

People were reluctant to travel during late hours before the coming of the BJP Government in Manipur, he claimed and urged the people to not take law into their hands.

He contended that it was the BJP Government which brought positive changes in Manipur.

The Chief Minister added that an FIR has been registered in connection with the mob attack on security forces who went to destroy poppy plantations in Kangpokpi recently.

N Biren also spoke about the consequences of poppy plantations, deforestation and widespread use of urea on the environment.

People can't survive without nature, he said while appealing to the people to support the conservation efforts.

Manipur was hit by flood three times last year, he said and added that the execution of work without a clear vision or long-term planning in the past has contributed to the flood issues in Manipur.

The Government has issued a work order to construct cement concrete roads with drainage facilities across the State, he continued and appealed to the people to not hold grudges if their shops or houses get affected by the road projects.

Continuing that the Government understands the plight of the people in relief camps, N Biren maintained that the Government has resettled about 2,500 internally displaced people (IDPs) .

Forest Minister Th Biswajit also attended the programme.

He said that wetlands have been disappearing in Manipur due to human activities.

People should understand the role of wetlands in maintaining ecological equilibrium, the Minister continued.

CAF&PD Minister Sushildro, Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo, Langthabal AC MLA Karam Shyam also attended the programme among others.

A prize distribution ceremony for different competitions held as part of World Wetlands Day was also conducted today.