World Environment Day - Time to act and go green -
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: June 05 2012 -

World Environment Day Campaign in Imphal organised by Volunteers for Manipur and Legend Studio (Manipur) in 2010
Pix - Ringo Pebam

Keibul Lamjao without Kei, Umang Lai without Umang !

Indeed, these would be the legacy that the future generation would have to bequeath from us if we do not take up necessary measures to conserve our environment from further deterioration when there is still time.

With environmental crises already taking a heavy toll on the planet we live in, concern over environmental degradation mainly from destruction human activities have attracted the attention of the people in other parts of the world.

But such concern is yet to gain the desire momentum in Manipur.

One probably reason for this could be the myriad issues plaguing the state, thus leaving no one in their right frame of mind to concentrate on other important global issues like environmental crises sweeping across the state.

As they say, better late than ever, it is exalting to note that many individuals and social organizations in Manipur have started waking up to the sound of snapping relation between human and the nature, which otherwise had remained harmonious until the avarice of human takes over his frugal needs.

In the wake of this environmental crisis, we have also been hearing about outbreak of diseases more often than ever, extinction of endemic species and invasion of alien species apart from experiencing extremes of climatic condition.

Unpredictable rains, hotter summers and colder winters have come a daily part of our life today. But there is a big question mark over our preparedness against the onslaught of these environmental crises.

In such a situation, observance of World Environment Day is becoming even more relevant, not just to ring in but also to ring out the message of 'Go-Green' to protect the environment and prevent our Mother Earth from extinction.

This may sound like a tall order. But it is not a nigh-impossible task.

In our continuing efforts towards sensitizing the people on important issues that have direct bearing on our day-to-day existence, a special feature on the World Environment Day, 2012 observance which falls today (June 5) have been arranged.

It may not be an exhaustive one and the theme for this year's observance, 'Green Economy: Does it include you?' may perplex the minds of many us who are struggling every waking and sleeping hour of our existence in this remote underdeveloped corner of the world.

But the four different writes up have succinctly shed light on the issue at hand and what we need to do to come out from the present predicament.

As in any issue of public importance, it is the collective will power and efficacy that we have to rely upon in addressing the environmental crises from jeopardizing the future of human civilization.

It is good that the Government of Manipur has already drafted an action plan to combat the challenges of climate change and consultative meetings are underway to take note of the suggestions put forward by stakeholders.

While we wait for the finalization of the action plan and its ultimate implementation, we should not forget the fact that individual actions too can have a profound impact on saving the environment.

This could in no way be a tall order, we bet.