MP gives clarion call to conserve forests
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 17 2022:
Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba has categorically stated that Meiteis are the ethnic group which have been worshipping forest deities (Umang Lai) since ancient period and as such it is needless to take consent from others to conserve forest areas.
Speaking to media persons during a programme held at Chingthang Lairembi Sanglen at Bamdiar Manao Ching today, Leishemba Sanajaoba continued that some people opposing the tree plantation drive of the Government to mitigate climate change is very unfortunate but "they will not succeed" .
Stating that forests are home to different plant and animal species and they would disappear if there are no forests, Leishemba Sanajaoba said that the culture of maintaining community forest in the Meitei society has also become a thing of the past.
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Many bird species have become declared endangered due to large scale deforestation which affects global climate and biodiversity, the MP said and appealed to all to plant trees in good faith and not just as a fashion.
He further stated that the Government alone cannot fight climate change and urged all to assist the Forest Department in producing the saplings of indigenous plants and plants with medicinal properties.
Maintaining that the Meitei society seems to be backtracking in every area due to large scale drug abuse and other factors such as lack of public discussion, the MP appealed to all the people of Manipur to wage a war against drug abuse so as to save the State.
DFO of Central Forest Division RK Amarjit said that fast depletion of water level in the majority of the rivers is a sign of mass scale deforestation.
It is a known fact that a person can survive without water, he said and afforestation is the only way to make clean water available to the masses throughout the year.
The programme was organised by the Central Forest Division in association with JFMC Bamdiar.
Health Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, retd.Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) Mahendra Pratap, Central Forest and Bamdiar GP Pradhan L.Sorojini also attended the programme among others.