Tree plantation drives, webinar mark WED observance
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 05 2021: Several government institutions, NGOs, associations, environmental activists and political parties observed 'World Environment Day (WED)' on the different themes and carried out tree plantation drives across the state on Saturday.

In a message on the occasion, Chief Minister N Biren stated that Covid-19 pandemic is a lesson for humankind.

"We may take the pandemic as a harsh reality, a time for all of us to blink, wake up and reassess our priorities", he said, while pointing out that nature does not need us but we need nature for our survival.

"At the least, let us secure our planet for our future generations by planting more and more trees", the CM appealed, while exhorting everyone to resolve to be more sensitive to nature and environment and to bring about little changes in our activities and lifestyle that can help restore the natural order of things.

In his message, CAF &PD minister Th Satyabrata appealed to the people of Manipur to save the environment by planting trees, re-wilding gardens, using less plastic and more organic products, changing diets, cleaning up ponds, rivers and lakes and overall surroundings.

He also urged for preservation of the rare flora and fauna like the Sangai deer from extinction and also to flourish and nurture forests, wetlands and water bodies including Nambul River, Imphal River and the Loktak Lake.

On the other hand, Directorate and Climate Change observed state level World Environment Day at Kangla with Forest, Environment and Climate change minister Awangbow Newmai, Directorate of Environment and Climate Change director Dr Y Nabachandra, Forest, Environment and Climate Change additional chief secretary MH Khan and PCCF & HoFF Dr AK Joshi as presidium members.

During the observance, minister Awangbow exhorted MLAs to plant fruit bearing trees in their respective constituencies.

Highlighting that plantation of stinky beans not only restore the environment but will also enhance the economy of the state, the minister assured of providing 40,000 stinky bean saplings once the pandemic is over.

Several indigenous trees were also planted at Kangla as a part of the observance.

In separate events, RIMS Students Union (RIMSSU), College of Nursing, RIMS and JNIMS staffers, National Program of Climate Change and Human Health, NHM Manipur and Directorate of Health Services also observed World Environment Day at their respective office and institutional premises by mass planting of saplings.

In connection with the observance of World Environment Day, MLA Karam Shyam led a plantation drive of fruit bearing trees and tree saplings at Lilong Chajing Pureiromba Eco Park, Lilong Chajing Awang Leikai Badminton Hall Mamang, Narinkonjin Heibok View Range, Narinkonjin Mayai Leikai and Lilong Konung Park.

Meanwhile, Communist Party of India Manipur State Council, Ideal Club, All Manipur Students' Union, teaching faculties and members of the students' union of Lilong Haoreibi College, Komrem Students' Union - Churachandpur District (KRSU-CCPUR), Mongsangei Kanba Lup, Langthabal Development Committee Naoriya Pakhanglakpa Kendra, 69 Battalion CRPF (Mantripukhri), District Legal Services Authority, Senapati along with Senapati District Bar Association observed WED at their respective places by planting tree saplings.

On the other hand, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Imphal celebrated "World Environment Day" by organising a webinar on "Promotion and protection of Bio-resources".

The programme was addressed by IBSD director Prof Pulok K Mukherjee.

KVK Chandel, Central Agricultural University and Manipur State Bharat Scouts and Guides in collaboration with NAVIBHAVA and Biodiversity Ecology and Environment Network, Manipur also observed World Environment Day at State Training Centre located at Langol game village.

The latter observance began from Mahabali with tree plantation and feeding of the monkeys.

Nature Club Haoreibi also observed World Environment Day under the theme 'Ecosystem Restoration' and planted tree saplings along the banks of Imphal River in Haoreibi and surroundings of the houses of club members while maintaining Covid-19 relevant SOPs.

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