Crucial link between forests & food highlighted at IDF
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 21 2025: The CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST) and Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS), Manipur, jointly organised the International Day of Forests-2025 on Friday, at Kongba Nandeibam Leikai, Imphal East, under the theme "Forests and Food".

The event highlighted the critical role of forests in maintaining and enhancing food supply and stressed the importance of sustainable forest management to ensure food security and climate resilience.

A statement issued by AIMS in this regard informed that in his keynote address, AIMS director Dr Atom Sunil Singh emphasised the urgent need for sustainable forest management to safeguard food security and adapt to climate change.

Former union MoS Dr RK Ranjan, who attended the event as chief guest, underscored the historical importance of forests in providing diverse types of food in the state throughout the year while Manipur University CDC director Prof Hanjabam Shukhdeba Sharma advocated for integrating forest conservation into school and university curricula to cultivate a generation of environmental guardians.

Retired additional director of health services Dr S Manikanta highlighted the health benefits of forest foods, which are essential sources of nutrients and play a role in eradicating malnutrition as Dr Rajkumar Chingkhei from the department of environmental science, Dhanamanjuri University, presented his recent work on the impact of deforestation on local food supply systems and emphasised the need for reforestation to restore balance.

Dr Sagolsem Kulachandra advocated for community-led conservation initiatives that empower local communities to manage forest resources sustainably.

CSIR-NEIST chief scientist Prof H Birkumar provided an overview of scientific inputs that facilitate sustainable forest management and highlighted the use of available technologies to boost food production.

The event concluded with the distribution of 50 Garbage E-Rickshaws to various local clubs in the state under a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by Oil India.

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