A step in the right direction
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: August 20, 2024 -

SINCE it was not about the ongoing ethnic violence in the state, nor any news report related to crime or politics, many people might have missed the recent introduction of an "Add-on Course in Wetlands Studies and Management" at Mangolnganbi College, Ningthoukhong in Bishnupur district, and thus, becoming the first institution of higher education not only in Manipur but also in the entire northeastern region of the country to offer a course in Wetland Studies and Management.

So, we feel it is essential to revisit the topic.

But more than the inclusion of Mangolnganbi College among the league of institutions of higher education offering course in wetlands studies in the country, it is the significance of introducing such a course in the context of disappearing wetlands and changing ecosystems in Manipur that we would like to focus on and draw the attention of everyone.

As many prominent figures including chairman of the Technical Committee of Manipur State Wetlands Authority Dr Kh Shamungou and director of Directorate of Environment and Climate Change Dr T Brajakumar had pointed out during the launch function of the three-month certificate course held at the college's auditorium on Saturday last, it is indeed a landmark initiative towards facilitating proper understanding of the value of wetlands through effective education as the course is not available in the mainstream education system of the state even though the state has lost 80 percent of its wetlands, mainly due to anthropogenic activities.

Introduction of the course aimed at undergraduate, postgraduate, and research students with a keen interest in studying and managing wetlands, which are crucial ecosystems for both human and environmental health, may be a humble beginning, but it is going to go a long way in raising awareness and promoting understanding of "wetlands and human well-being" which also happens to be the theme of this year's World Wetlands Day observance.

This initiative is very much in tune with the Convention on Wetlands' Programme on communication, capacity building, education, participation and awareness (CEPA), which was adopted through Resolution XII.9 at COP12 in 2015 by superseding the earlier CEPA Resolutions approved in 1999, 2002 and 2008.

As the vision of the Programme is to "prevent, stop and reverse the degradation of wetlands and use them wisely" with the over-arching goal of encouraging people to take action for the wise use of wetlands, we can't help but be appreciative of the decision taken by the Directorate of Environment & Climate Change, Government of Manipur to zero in on Mangolnganbi College for collaboration in introducing the course that seeks to engage undergraduate, postgraduate and research students with keen interest in studying and managing wetlands to play a pivotal role and contribute their mite in the global effort of conserving wetlands.

Apart from the fact that Mangolnganbi College is incidentally located on the bank of Loktak Lake, the largest fresh water lake in North-East India and a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar site no 463, declared on 16th June, 1993), it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that a collaboration of this nature has been made possible due to the keen interest shown by director of Environment and Climate Change Dr T Brajakumar and principal of the College RK Birjit, who has been working in the field of biodiversity conservation not only as a member of Manipur State Biodiversity Board but also as the state coordinator for Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN), Mumbai for the last many years.

So, there is much to expect from this collaborative effort of introducing an "Add-on Course in Wetlands Studies and Management" for the first time at Mangolnganbi College so as to inspire authorities of other colleges and educational institutions in the state to follow suit and continue to replicate the good work in the right direction.