The Impending Intense Weather Looming Large
Steps To Initiate To Tame The Peril

S Kunjabihari Singh *

Large areas flooded in Greater Imphal areas on May 23 2016 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

The other day the English daily, 'The People's Chronicle', in its front page discussed the status of the level of weather fluctuations in the state in the last 4-5 years. It wrote about inordinately increasing humidity level, this year up to June humidity reaching highest ever so far. Given this position, we are approaching, for sure, an extreme weather predicament, never had faced in the past.

And, without much debate, without much emphasis, it goes that the picture would worsen unless we the natives take appropriate initiatives. While the government should be charged with the responsibility of shouldering the lead role, the citizens too cannot remain a mere spectator. In effect, we should join hands in spearheading a set of common-benefit- measures at the local and sub-local levels.

The daily also referred to a set of data on rainfall, temperature and humidity of the state from a report released by ICAR, Lamphel. Considering the imperative importance of the likely change in weather it would be interesting to go for an awareness drive into related issues. Such an overview could shape the likely total face of climate change in the coming years vis-à-vis what is happening around in other parts.

According to the report, between 2012 and 2016 up till June, average temperature hovers around 30.6 Celsius degree in 2013 to around 29.4 C in 2015 followed by 31.4 C in 2016 (up to June). During this span, rainfall fluctuates between 300 mm in June, 2012, in June,'14 and in June, '15 to its lowest at just 135.5 mm in June 2013.

This year, 2016 the rainfall in June falls to 205mm. The worrying part is however the level of relative humidity gradually increases from 84.9% during June, 2012 to 86.3% in 2013, falls marginally to 84.4% in 2014, again 84.4% in 2015 only to shoot up to all-time high of 89.9% by June, 2016, this year. Overall it would be pertinent to infer that the level of relative humidity has indeed been erratic pointing to sharp increase this year.

With intense fluctuations in rainfall, temperature and concomitantly, related humidity, water is likely to play truant with our overall environment, in sum, the inevitable climate change. With scientific way of solid waste disposal process not in shape, the position being likely to continue with much less improvement in sight, our city would have to rest content with the environment chaos that is prevalent.

And, mind you, the Solid Waste Treatment plant at Lamdeng even when fully operational would leave still around 60% of the total garbage generated in the urban areas. May be parts of those lifted by the IMC are used for landfills still posing health hazards.What do we do then to contain the volatile situation?

What should be in store for the left-out portion, indeed formidable? One thing is certain; this left-out garbage, spilled around in public places would be the power house of all diseases and given a free hand, more distress would be lying in wait vitiating the environment.

Practically there cannot be a solution in sight, given the system of disposal of solid wastes by the citizens coupled with the high level of ineffectiveness of the government bodies that include the IMC.

Reasons could be there, shortage of fund for one which is endemic, the failure of the government to impose restrictions on disposal of both degradable and non-degradable waste anywhere in public places or even unsuccessful in placing strict ban on use of plastic bags and such items, the ineffectiveness of the system of collection and disposal of garbage etc. we can hunt still many more. The basic impediment is the utter lack of determination for the government to appreciate the gravity of the situation and therefore failure to achieve any tangible benefit.

Manipur fairs exceedingly well in the literacy chart in the country. At 71% of literacy rate it ranks 3rd in the NER, next only to Mizoram and Tripura. It is far higher than the national average at 65%. Every family in urban or greater Imphal can be taken as moderately educated with many having a BA degree or higher; every alternate house has a car, even 2-3 cars a family, in most of the houses. Our standard of living generally speaking, (actual statistical index not available), can be taken as among the highest in the region. We are used to practicing an open society and are known for our neat and clean ways, high in societal index.

Of late, however, we appear our emerging system to let slide the traditional nicety of social habits inherited from our forefathers. In the result we lack the societal bond of mutual understanding, respect, and concern for the neighbors, the locality, so highly practiced in the leikais till around the late seventies. The winds of change, change for a worse, in the social equilibrium has its impact on the whole social values.

People have become more individualistic, less cooperative, more detached, often bordering with egocentric. If this assertion is even half true, our future is bleak. The hill brethren are better placed on this chart where societal ties are high and the urge for unity and partnership is superb though of course, the unique social system among the tribal is the essence.

One major social impact of this deteriorating trend in environment is visible in the practice of total lack of sense of cleanliness, utter disregard of concern for the others, the neighbors, the locals. They become more personified, individualistic, selfish, least concerned about the immediate neighbors and the leikais at large.

Educated and well to do families in the heart of the leikais, the towns, like Singjamei or Sagolband or even in the very heart of Imphal, the Thangal, the Paona bazaars, at least majority of them, fail deliberately to conform to standard norms, practices of keeping the surrounding clean. So too, our numerous leikais, again without much thought would not practice basic sense of cleanliness of the immediate surroundings.

What should we do then to win away these strata of families, entice them to conform to at least elementary practices of 'swachh', as a part of nation-wide Swachh Bharat Abhiyan? It would require a great deal of effort, a formidable uphill task. Can some NGO's take the responsibility; they wouldn't be tempted to for most NGOs are family run and family-centric. In the ultimate analysis the search boils down to the local Clubs.

They are in the leikais, they are manned by the locals, they have seen the chaos all through; they know the problem. They know the inhabitants, the inhabitants know them. They under the circumstances appear to be most suitable. And it's not an academic program, anything even remotely connected with academics, which they abhor to the bone. Who will then bell the cat could be the next hurdle?

To start with a humble beginning, can the new IMC, the Mayor, designated so for the first time in the state, wield some imagination, some power, some strategy to have a dialogue with a dozen or so local clubs in select areas? He can be the leader in bringing about a change, a direction towards keeping the surroundings clean.

This initial phase could be called 'awareness initiative' where people would be exposed to the looming peril in the areas of environment and the need for protecting it, at least to make a beginning in not only cleaning locals, drains, conserving water, planting trees in every available free areas. The new, fresh Councilors filled with brimming ideas laced with enthusiasm to deliver can be a ready hand in disseminating this message to the locals.

Massive awareness campaign using available promotional routes, TV commercials, radio ads, posters, jingles would be of help. IMC can sponsor local initiatives, provide facilities for transport, collection etc, anything they can lay hands on. The three markets, the vendors can be roped in to keep the markets orderly and clean. The effort in cleaning the three markets if successful would dent tremendous benefit to the environment. A spread effect in replicating the endeavor in other localities can be wonderful.

The moot question is, are the IMC prepared for such a drive, an ambition or plain leadership? If yes, go ahead, move the government for funds; if not, why not learn from other Municipal Councils in other more successful states?