Punshilok : A jewel of Manipur - Our responsibility to protect it

Mangal Salam *

Most must have heard about the breathtaking 300-acre forest known as "Punshilok," nestled in the Maru Langol Hill range. Undoubtedly, it stands as one of Manipur's most extraordinary foraging hubs, attracting diverse species of migrating birds and animals. Initially, Punshilok, designated as a Reserved Forest, was heavily used for grazing by farmers, leading to deforestation and Jhum Cultivation.

This resulted in the growth of less than 20 plant species, turning the area into barren land but for the last 22 years, Punshilok has been growing increasingly luxuriant with the loving efforts of WAHPS (Wildlife and Habitat Protection Society) housing over 250 species of plants and sheltering numerous migratory birds and animals like the Barking Deer, Marbled Cat, Porcupines, and many more. WAPHS was founded by Moirangthem Loiya Ngamba in 2003 to protect forest lands and preserve the biological diversity of PunshiLok.

Lately, Punshilok has gained popularity on the internet, attracting hikers from around the city, and resulting in concerns such as trespassing, littering, and small-scale mining. Inherently, Langol Forest Reserve (Punshi Lok) cannot accommodate a large number of hikers as it would disrupt the forest's biological ecosystem.

On this, The Forest Department closed the forest and prohibited visitors from entering the forest without permission. This decision was collectively taken by the DFO Central Forest Division, the Langol Reserved Forest, and the Langol Extension to protect the integrity of the forest. Additionally, WAHPS, for the past few months, has been cleaning up the litter left by the hikers which hinders the organization from focusing on their projects.

For the past 3 months, WAHPS has been laboring on projects that would further improve the state of the forest. Punshilok Spring Rejuvenation Project is one of the noteworthy projects that is currently proceeding in the forest.

Punshilok Spring Rejuvenation Project : The Punshilok Springs Rejuvenation project is particularly important for WAHPS and it's a yearlong work that needs intrinsic knowledge of how mountain springs work and how it can be improved. For the past 22 years, WAHPS has been completely dependent on Punshilok and the sole provider of water needs. But for the past 4 to 5 years because of the global climate change rainfall patterns have also changed.

Manipur has been receiving erratic rain which directly puts pressure on the rain-fed spring of Punshilok. Punshilok spring always has been perennial but for the past two years, the spring flow has stopped for a few weeks in the dry seasons. Therefore, WAHPS started looking for ways to improve spring ability. Some of the work includes. 1. Collecting stones and depositing them around the spring covering them with soil. 2.

Burying any exposed rocks around the spring. 3. Removing bamboo and plantation of deep-rooted trees. 4. Digging pits for water to percolate above the spring during the rainy season. Such measures are taken to preserve the equilibrium of the forest. It is also expected that the general public will take conscious actions. There are significant reasons why we, the public, should work towards the preservation of this blessed land.

The reserve forest is the property of the public. Forest reserves are sacred areas, and the equilibrium of the forest should not be disturbed. Forests provide us with oxygen which is essential for human survival, shelter for not only plants and animals but also for human beings. Forests help regulate water cycles providing clean water through springs and nourishment like food and medicines.

However, the public mistook Punshilok as a picnic spot which led to littering and small-scale mining. Such activities should be monitored as it is illegal and punishable by law. Moreover, excessive hiking leads to vegetation damage and soil erosion, where the topsoil is worn away. Topsoil helps sustain life in the forest, degradation of topsoil leads to infertility of the soil.

Forest and nature are as fragile as a butterfly. The fragility of the ecosystem of the forest should be properly understood before any individual involvement. Recreation and enjoyment should not be an excuse to intrude on the complex equilibrium of Punshilok.

Although it may not seem like it Punshilok is still in its initial stage of vegetation, with trees and plants which are only around 20 years old. We should be aware that the forest is home to multiple species that exist together in diversity and should be left undisturbed and taken proper care of. People who are unaware of this fact, intrude on the forest area disturbing the balance and stability of its ecosystem.

Lungs of the City Rivers, Wetlands, Oceans, and Lakes are the organs of the planet with each of them having their ecosystem that supports the sustenance of humanity and the earth. Langol Reserved Forest found in the northern part of Imphal City is the only reserved forest nearest to Imphal City and it serves as the lungs of the city, filtering air and acting as a carbon sink.

A carbon sink is any natural system that absorbs and stores more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases. Carbon dioxide is one of the main greenhouse gases that are responsible for climate change. Langol Forest Reserve acts as a major carbon sink that stabilizes the climate of the city.

Manipur is a biological hotspot that should be protected Within the range of 50-3,300 meters above sea level, Manipur has a humid subtropical climate in which vegetation thrives and is a desired place for flora and fauna to grow. Manipur is recognized as one of the global biodiversity hotspots currently as part of the Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot.

Vegetation of such diversity needs to be properly handled with care. Although Manipur is a blessed land where vegetation and animal species thrive, the Forests in Manipur are in grave danger because of extensive exploitation, deforestation, jhum cultivation, unsustainable resource mining etc. "Manipur does not have big trees anymore, nor does it have virgin forest like it used to be" mentioned Moirangthem Loiya Ngamba with a heavy heart.

WAHPS appealed to the public to be responsible citizens and respect the said restrictions. The area can only be accessed by the public with permission from the Langol Forest Department until further notice. Humans are different from animals and plants because we have the ability to reason. Ironically, we can be unreasonable about numerous things.

Plants and Animals are struggling as their habitats are intruded day and night leaving them no place to survive. We've built civilizations and buildings for our lodging yet we intrude the only place that nature thrives in. Nature is nothing but the harmony and order that was granted to us and we, as human beings are destroying that harmony through greed and selfishness.

Forests like Punshilok are an example of such habitats that should not be sought out by greed. Every citizen must preserve this land and conserve it. Moreover, There is no guarantee that this blessed land will stay green, maybe shortly it might be infertile and sterile, unable to harbor any plants. Unless we move towards conserving what we have right now, which is an extremely green State and a weather so pleasant, it will cease to exist.