Agar tree plantation launched at Jiribam
Agar oil extraction units to be set up at Jiribam, Tengnoupal, Kamjong
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Jiribam, July 07 2018: Forest and Environment Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar said that agar oil extraction units will be set up at Jiribam, Tengnoupal (Moreh) and Kamjong (Ningthi village) districts.

The Minister made the announcement at the launch of an agar plantation programme at the Lamtai Khunou, Jiribam district today organised by the State Forest Department.

Around 3,200 numbers of agar saplings were planted across 2 hectares of land.

Addressing media persons, the Minister said the mass agar plantation programme is being taken up in the State following an MoU signed between the Government of India and Government of Laos during the last year's Manipur Sangai Festival.

Government of Laos will provide maintenance fund, necessary treatments for the trees and a market place for the agar trees planted in the State, said the Minister.

He further said officials of Laos will visit the State to provide required treatments for the plants.

The agar trees planted in the State will help generate income for the villagers and at the same time will help and promote conservation of environment.

The villagers will maintain, protect and extract oil from the tress and this will thus provide livelihood, he said appealing people of the State not to waste forest land.

All should join and plant suitable trees, including fruit bearing trees.

Jiribam, Tengnoupal and Kamjong districts are most suitable for the agar plantation and the agar trees which are planted now will be extracted after 7-8 years, the Minister said.

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister N Biren Singh had launched the agar plantation at Heingang Reserve Forest on June 24.The Minister was accompanied by the officials of Forest Department and district level officials including Robert Singh Kshetrimayum, Deputy Commissioner, Jiribam District, Kh Brojendro Singh, Conservator of Forests/Western Circle, Ch Ibomcha, Divisional Forest Officer, Jiribam Forest Division, S Shanti Devi, Chairperson, Jiribam Municipal Council and officials of Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department, Jiribam District.

The Minister, who is on a three-day tour of Jiribam district, also met the people of Lamtai Khunou and heard their grievances.

Later, he visited the Jiribam Forest Division and directed, the officials to work with dedication.

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