Saving environment requires collective participation and is not the sole responsibility of one Dept: Min
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, July 02 2018: Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) organised a cheques & bins distribution event, under the National Green Corps (NGC), for Eco-Clubs of schools and colleges of different districts, at the office of MPCB, DC complex, Lamphelpat today.

The programme was attended by Forest & Environment, MAHUD & Town Planning Minister Th Shyamkumar, Education Minister Th Radheshyam, Directorate of Environment Director N Nabachandra Singh and Chairman, Manipur Pollution Control Board L Radhakishore as dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Shyamkumar stressed upon the need to inculcate the habit of planting more trees to safeguard the environment.

To habit of tree plantation should be started from the grassroots level, he added.

He further stated that every Govt department as well as the public should be responsible for protecting the environment.

Minister Th Shyamkumar further said the responsibility of saving the environment cannot be solely put on the department as it requires collective cooperation and participation of all, including the departments of the State.

"That is why various departments at the district level will work together for the programme", he added.

Stating that the habit of planting trees and raising awareness on saving environment needs to be developed and inculcated from the grass-roots level, he stated that the eco clubs at different schools and colleges are involving under the programme.

Shyamkumar also stressed on the need to take up action oriented work for a visible change in the State for which he appealed an overall cooperation.

Motivating all to plant more trees, especially the indigenous ones, the Minister opined that planting of trees and proper nurturing will enable checking and controlling of environment degradation.

Dr Y Nabachandra Singh, Director, Directorate of Environment spoke in length regarding the programmes undertaken by the National Green Corps (NGC) in the country.

He expressed that giving green education to children at school level will be effective in spreading awareness and people will, in turn, inculcate the habit of planting trees from the young age.

Stating that NGC will play a pivotal role in saving the environment, he informed that around 1,20,000 schools are covered in India under the programme.

National Green Corps is a major initiative of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for creating environmental awareness launched in 2001-2002 which aims at building cadres of young children working towards environmental conservation and sustainable development.

The MoEF, the State Government agencies along with NGOs, working in the field of Environmental Education will work in partnership for the programme.

In Manipur, NGC programme is covering 4100 schools in 16 districts along with 100 colleges while 8200 bins have been provided for the schools.

Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Chandel, Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul, Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Jiribam, Kamjong, Noney, Kangpokpi, Pherzawl and Kakching districts are covered under the programme.

Deputy Commissioners of the districts concerned are chairpersons of the District Implementing and Monitoring Committee.

The programme is operated through Eco-clubs set up in schools registered as members of the NGC.

It exposes students to in-depth field experiences and provides opportunities to convert their ideas into creative action.

The aim and objective of the programme is spreading environment awareness among the school and college going students.

MPCB members of 16 districts were handed a cheque of Rs 25,000 each as honorarium; each school will be provided bins apart from Rs 3000 each for the schools in the districts.

Newsletter cum guidebook for Eco-clubs was also released as part of the function today.

Deputy Commissioners concerned, Superintendent of Police, Divisional Forest Officers, MPCB members, Zonal Education Officers attended the function among others.

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