Challenging Mother Nature will be human folly: Prof Rajmuhon
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 05 2024: Emphasising the need for all to understand that challenging Mother Nature will only result in mankind's defeat, Dhanamanjuri University (DMU) former vice chancellor Professor N Rajmuhon has urged the people to continue planting tree and preserve the environment for protection from climatic catastrophe.

He made the statement while speaking as chief guest of the World Environment Day 2024 observance organised by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change on the theme "Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience", at its office in Porompat on Wednesday.

Prof Rajmuhon recounted how the World Environment Day was first commemorated by United Nations on June 5, 1972 .

For this year, Saudi Arabia is host country of the observance, he informed, while highlighting the appropriateness of this year's theme in the light of extreme weather conditions on planet Earth today.

He also stressed the need for detailed deliberation on the effects from decreasing land resources and rampant deforestation.

The absence of a proper policy programme in the past led to construction of structures in wetland areas of the state.

But we need to conserve the wetlands at all cost, he asserted.

Prof Rajmuhon then said that while science and technology may be advancing at great speed, we still need to uphold the knowledge left behind by our forefathers.

He called for preserving the rich biodiversity of the state, while stating that we have the ability to carve a place for the state in the international sphere just as Israel has the ability to preserve its desert while at the same developing at a fast pace.

However, there is the need to mend the gap between research output of experts and policy makers, he stressed.

The former VC then said that if we are to save Mother Nature, we need to plant more trees and stop felling of trees.

The ecological value of a single tree to human civilisation is immense and this should be taught to children from a young age.

For this, symposiums, awareness programmes and other events could be organised in schools/colleges.

All of these are included under the new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, he conveyed, while calling for concerted efforts in preserving nature and increasing green coverage of the planet.

Presiding over the observance, Directorate of Environment and Climate Change director Dr T Brajakumar remarked that while any societal or social issues can be solved through talks and mutual un derstanding, challenging Mother Nature will lead to one lone consequence i.e., humankind's loss.

Furthermore, the five words mentioned in this year's theme are not simple, he said, while urging all to remember that we have no place to live other than the planet earth.

He highlighted the effects of deforestation, and pointed out that the areas cleared in the state for illegal poppy plantation would dry up one day, making it unsuitable for habitation or farming.

Even now, there are reports of some areas in the state experiencing drought-like situation.

This in turn is affecting the vegetation, as expressed by experts.

Thus, there is the need for all to understand the importance of preserving the environment, he said, while mentioning about the Green Education Programme launched by the Directorate for students.

Later, a panel discussion on "Role of College in Green Education Programme and Climate Action in Manipur" was held, with AIR Imphal former assistant director (Programme) Ingudam Achou as the moderator.

Waikhom Mani Girls' College, Thoubal principal Prof Hanjabam Manoranjan; Manipur University Department of Zoology Prof N Mohilal Meitei; Nambol L Sanoi College Asst Prof Dr Irungbam Jamuna; and DM University College of Science Asst Prof Dr Likmabam Sanjoy Meitei attended as panellists.

Uripok Apunba Lup, Uripok Nupi Apunba and Directorate of Environment and Climate Change also jointly observed World Environment Day on Wednesday by carrying a mass tree plantation drive along the road median in Uripok area.

The World Environment Day was also observed by Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal on the theme, "Land Restoration, Halting Desertification and Building Drought Resilience", On the side of the approach road near Gents' Hostel No 3 .

As part of the observance, trees were planted in the campus of the institute.

The observance was also attended by director Prof G Sunil Kumar Sharma, Medical Superintendent Prof N Sanjib Singh, deputy director (Admin) RK Mecolt Singh, CAO/FA Sairem Sarat Singh, faculty members, staff and students of the Institute.

Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) also observed World Environment Day and organised a programme on "Preserving Bioresources of NER for Sustainable Development" in Imphal on Wednesday.

The programme was attended by IBSD director Prof Pulok Kumar Mukherjee, GFA Consulting Group Imphal National team leader Hrishikesh Konthoujam, Conservator of Forests Rk Amarjit, Forest Department DFO Kh Hitler Singh, Wildlife and Habitat Protection, Langol Punshilok founder Moirangthem Loyangamba and IBSD scientist Dr Pardeep Bhardwaj where they spoke on several topics.

Several tree saplings were also planted as part of the programme.

Meanwhile, National Program on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH), NHM Manipur observed the World Environment Day on the theme of "Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience" at TG Higher Secondary School.

The observance was attended by Health Services director Dr O Sanahanbi Devi as chief guest, TG Higher Secondary School principal Vinita Elangbam as guest of honour and NHM state mission director Dr Somorjit Ningombam as president.

Heat advisory leaflets were distributed to the students attending the observance.

On the other hand, in connection with World Environment Day, Central Forest Division DFO RK Amarjit along with central team officers, Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) president, volunteers and others planted around 6000 tree saplings at Khema Reserve Forest' in Nongren, Imphal East district while, teachers and students of Wangoi Higher Secondary School under the aegis of Directorate of Education (s) and Samagra Shiksha planted around 40 tree saplings on Wednesday in connection with World Environment Day.

On the other hand, the Forest Department observed World Environment Day with village volunteers by planting trees at Tokpa Ching in Kakching district on Wednesday.

Manipur University Department of Environmental Science and Wangkhei High School jointly observed World Environment Day on Wednesday by planting trees at the campus of the school in Imphal East.

An awareness programme was also organised, where MU Department of Environmental Science associate professor Dr Konthoujam Khelchandra Singh spoke on the importance of conserving the environment.

The programme was attended by academic community and students.

NHIDCL Regional Office, Imphal also celebrated World Environment Day on the theme of "Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience on Wednesday.

The event featured a painting competition for school students.

Saplings of various plants and trees were distributed to the students, to be planted in their respective homes.

The observance was attended by NHIDCL RO Imphal general manager (P) Sadanand Pandey.

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