'Chinggi Etao' campaign launched to revive Sekmai Turel
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, July 16 2026: A tree plantation campaign aimed at reviving the Sekmai Turel, the lifeline of Kakching and several neighbouring villages, was launched on Thursday at the river's catchment area under the banner "Chinggi Etao" (Friends of Hills) .

The initiative was taken in view of the significant environmental changes witnessed in Manipur over the years, including changing climatic conditions, erratic rainfall patterns and the deteriorating condition of the Sekmai Turel, with the objective of restoring and protecting the river.

The campaign was jointly organised by Agenda Kakching, a WhatsApp group formed by like-minded residents of the Kakching area, the Joint Non-Government Voluntary Organisation (JNGVO) and the Kakching Municipal Council.

During the programme, villagers from the catchment area of the Sekmai Turel and residents of Old Wangpurel and New Wangpurel - the source region of the Maha Turel, which merges with the Sekmai Turel - were encouraged to plant a sapling each in the name of a friend.

Saplings were distributed to participants, while essential items, organic manure produced by the Kakching Municipal Council and vegetables from the hill areas were also exchanged to foster cooperation and strengthen ties between the communities.

Addressing the gathering, Kakching Municipal Council Caretaker Chairperson Naorem Sanjit Kumar said climate change has brought immense hardship to people across the world and has made communities increasingly vulnerable.

He stressed that the present generation has a responsibility to protect the environment so that future generations inherit a healthier and more sustainable world.

He urged everyone to contribute, in whatever way possible, towards environmental conservation and appealed to the recipients of the saplings to nurture and protect them so that they grow into healthy trees and fulfil the.

objective of the campaign.

Speaking on the occasion, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Chandel, Dr Naorem Munal Meitei clarified a common misconception among people in the hill areas that planting trees would result in their land being taken over by the Forest Department.

He explained that the declaration of a Reserve Forest is governed by specific legal provisions under the Forest Acts and cannot be made arbitrarily.

He further said that the Government's conservation measures are intended for the welfare of the people and cannot be implemented without public support and cooperation.

The Forest Department, he added, is committed to ensuring that every tree planted under such initiatives is protected and allowed to survive.

Retired Chief Conservator of Forest Th Mahendra Pratap said many once-flourishing civilisations had declined due to their disregard for nature and warned that humanity continues to face similar environmental threats today.

Stressing the need for immediate action, he called upon every individual to take responsibility, to the best of their ability, in protecting and restoring the environment.

He also urged people to understand the far-reaching consequences of environmental degradation and work collectively towards ecological conservation.

The programme was attended by Kakching Municipal Council Caretaker Chairperson Naorem Sanjit Kumar, Caretaker Councillors Ksh Jhaljit and P Sanahal Devi, DFO Chandel Dr Naorem Munal Meitei, retired Chief Conservator of Forest Th Mahendra Pratap, JNGVO president Ksh Chhatradhari, general secretary Nongmaithem Bheigyachandra, members and administrator of Agenda Kakching, JNGVO members and others.

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