Return of peace biggest achievement of government: Biswajit
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Senapati, December 13 2022: The 3rd State Level Barak Festival, 2022 was inaugurated by Forest and Environment minister Th Biswajit as chief guest in the presence of Youth Affairs and Sport minister Govindas Konthoujam and Karong MLA J Kumo Sha, who were respectively functional president and host of the festival.

Addressing the gathering, chief guest minister Biswajit stated that peace has been restored in the state with the efforts of the state government, calling it the biggest achievement of the government.

The minister continued that Manipur is a beautiful region endowed with rich biodiversity and the River Barak is a very important part of the biodiversity, urging all to preserve it.

The previous festival was celebrated under the theme "Sustaining peace and harmony" .

The objective of the motto of the current year celebration is to protect the environment and keep the Barak River clean.

While the forest department and environment department are taking all steps to protect and preserve forest and environment cooperation of all to achieve the dream of saving the nature is imperative, he said.

To improve the environmental condition of the state, he said various programmes like tree plantation, river cleaning in Imphal area and other places have been taken up.

He also said that Environment Department is taking various steps in identifying and preserving water catchment areas in the state and also stressed on the importance of forest as it purifies atmosphere, provides water through rain, reduces noise pollution and protects harmful UV rays.

He also informed the public that the state government has recently passed an order banning sale and use of plastics.

YAS minister Govindas Konthoujam, in his speech, asserted that human being cannot live without water and stressed the need to protect and preserve it, adding, "Human civilization starts with river.

Barak River is rightly called the 'Nile of Manipur' which originates from the district.

Everyone is responsible to protect and preserve the river for its survival" .

The minister also mentioned the ill effects when the river water dries up from the region.

He also assured to complete the incomplete stadium of the venue at the earliest.

In his address, Senapati district deputy commissioner Mahesh Chaudhari stated that the festival being celebrated under the motto "Save mother Earth" was organised after a gap of 2 years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The DC conveyed his warm greetings to all and wished them a joyous Barak Festival.

Solomon Arow, president Naga People s Organization, in his keynote described the Barak River as the "Nile of Manipur" and the gift of mother earth which originates from the lofty hills of Liyai village, Senapati district.

The NPO president further informed that the river flows along the Manipur-Nagaland border through the hilly terrains and enters Assam and Bangladesh.

The Barak River is called the second richest river in the northeast India in terms of biodiversity as it is the home to more than 2000 aquatic species.

People in the region being agrarian depend on the water bodies of Barak for agricultural and other activities.

The various aquatic species found in the river's ecosystem also provides the people with a source of income, he added.

Celebrating the Barak Festival 2022 under the motto "Save mother earth" and with the theme "Celebrating Endowment, the NPO president urged all to realise the necessity of adopting and nurturing collective consciousness, to love and protect nature and realise the necessity of Barak River for the wellbeing and survival of the region.

Later, the event continued with wooden-made traditional car race for 4 wheelers and 3 wheelers.

The Zeliangrong tribe bagged first position, Mao tribe second and Thangal tribe third position in the 4-wheeler traditional car race.

In the 3-wheeler traditional car race, Mao tribe claimed the first position, Thangal tribe secured second place and Zeliangrong tribe took third position.

The best traditional car design award was given to the Poumai tribe in 3-wheeler traditional car race and Thangal tribe bagged the best traditional car design for 4 wheelers.

The car race flagged off by Senapati SP Karthik Malladi started from Mt Zion College and ended at Sanyi Dahrii Memorial Sports Complex.

The opening day's programmes also included traditional fire making competition and dances from different cultural troupe.

Various stalls including of government departments have been set up displaying their works and schemes.

The programme was attended by W Ibohal Singh, Director, Tourism, DLOs, various tribe leaders, CSOs and village chiefs and authorities.

Earlier, the guests were accorded a warm traditional welcome to the celebration hall.

Different traditional songs and dances were presented during the programme.

The evening programme would continue with Barak Rock Concert featuring local, state and national artistes.

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