Chilling warnings echo at World Environment day event
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 05 2012: Migratory bird species known as Shiri in the local parlance has disappeared from the Ukhrul district landscape due to environmental factors and the possibility of extinction of the human kind sooner than expected from the surface of the earth cannot be ruled out in case effective measures are not taken to maintain ecological balance is what environmental experts re-highlighted at the World Environment Day observance held today at Manipur Press Club.

The Press Club observance is one of many such events held throughout the State as a part of the global initiative to create/spread awareness on the harmful impacts of gradual ecological imbalance.

Units of CRPF and Assam Rifles, and various NGOs also joined in the observance at different places.

The observance was also held at Kangla Auditorium under the aegis of Directorate of Environment.

Principal Secretary (Forest & Environment) VK Thakral and Commissioner (Art & Culture) were the chief guest and president respectively of the observance during which various resource persons deliberated on the year's observance theme "Green Economy: Does It Include You ?" .

Dignitaries at the World Environment Day function at the Press Club

The Manipur Press Club event is a joint initiative of the Sangai Express daily and State's Wild Life Wing during which deliberations by various subject experts centred on the tiny migratory bird ceasing to arrive at their winter habitat in the Shirui Hill range to illustrate the impact of global warming on the living beings.

A documentary film by The Sangai Express reporter Laishram Shamungou based on the Shiri bird and entitled 'An Unattended Guest' was also screened on the occasion.

It is informed that the shiri bird species used to flock to their winter habitat since time immemorial to feed on the seeds of Leihao tree.

However, due to the unrestrained felling of trees, including the Leihao variety for timber and other uses, the Shirui Hill landscape is today lying barren consequently resulting in the migratory birds that breed in Siberia and Northern China during warmer seasons, to cease coming to their winter habitat.

Experts pointed out that drastic decline in the food chain of the migratory bird is a grim reminder for the human beings, described as the chief exploiter of the environment.

Barren landscape of the Shirui Hill range predicts severe inconveniences that would besiege humankind, if not complete extinction in the near future, as water source from the hill range will be drying up consequently affecting livelihood in Ukhrul district headquarters.

While the immediate impact would be on Ukhrul denizens, drying up of the water source from the Shirui range will also be felt in myriad forms by the valley people as the Thoubal river is said to originate from the same source.

Conceding that there is widespread felling of trees for commercial purpose in the shirui Hill range, Chingai AC MLA MK Preshaw Shimray as the chief guest of the observance called for bold decision and effective measures by the Government.

With reference to traditional land-ownership system hampering effective measures to save the forest, the MLA affirmed that only a handful of individuals claiming ownership of the hill land but nevertheless exploiting the natural resources need to be dealt in a more convincing manner for the unrestrained devastation would only imperil large number of human population.

Strongly advocating declaration of the shirui Hill range as a National Park and effective implementation of relevant measures, Preshaw drew the attention of the Government that providing alternative source of livelihood for those depending on the natural resources of the Shirui Hill range would be one of the means to replenish the forest cover.

Recalling his childhood experience of the Tangkhul forefathers according top priority in protecting the forests and the belief that the forest resources are sacred commodities, he said blessings of the almighty and seeking forgiveness for felling a tree by the eldest member of the village precede the first swing of the axe.

As he pointed out, the invocations signify importance and sanctity of the forest in the pre-Christian era.

MK Preshaw also pledged his personal support and unstinted cooperation in any endeavour by environmentalists to protect and replenish the Shirui environment.

As resource persons of the observance Managing Director of Shija Hospitals and Research Institute Dr Kh Palin deliberated on 'Climate Change & Health Issues' while environmentalist Dr RK Ranjan spoke on 'Shiroy (Shirui) Heritage' .

While Dr Palin presented a detailed account on the possibility of outbreak of various diseases in case there is no effective measures to check ecological imbalance as well as warning on imminent shortage of drinking water and increase in water-borne diseases, RK Ranjan stressed on the necessity to maintain the ecological balance for the good of all mankind.

impact of global warming is not an isolated case there should be holistic approach and effective implementation of afforestation policy, said RK Ranjan who also shared his cumulative experience of drastic changes in different corners of the state.

DFO (Park & Sanctuary) L Joykumar Singh highlighted rapid shrinkage of forest cover, increase in release of carbon-dioxide and other harmful pollutants and efforts of the Forest Department on forest conservation.

According to the DFO's account decadal increase in temperature in Manipur is at the rate of 1.5 degree celsius while deviation in the minimal temperature has been put at 1.7 degree celsius in the same period since 1900 to 2011 .