Project taken up to conserve Umang-Lai groves
Source: Chronicle News Service / Oinam Mission

Imphal, April 28 2023: The world today is facing the impact of deforestation, climate change and global warming.

Apart from other contributing factors of climate change, deforestation has been one of the most important factors.

Realising the effect as well as contribution of forest in maintaining natural eco-system, the world is now focusing on afforestation measures to counter the impact of climate change.

Like some of the ancient cultures across the globe, the Meetei community also used to conserve tree covers, not only in dense and uninhabited forest areas but also in residential areas in the form of sacred groves of Umang-Lai (sylvan deity).

However, these sacred groves have also been affected by the modern civilisation in the last few decade's as trees are cut down to make place for modern infrastructure such as community halls and sheds.

While these sacred groves could still be seen in rural areas, it has become a rare view in most of the Umang-Lai spaces in urban areas.

In order to revive the old tradition and to contribute in the fight against climate change, Umang-Lai Kanba Lup (UKAL), with support from the environment department, has initiated a pilot project to plant trees and revive sacred groves covering 37 Umang-Lai spaces.

Taking to The People's Chronicle in this regard, UKAL president Chanam Nabachandra alias Parihal informed that UKAL's activities cover 725 Umang-Lai spaces including three each in Tripura & Cachar and two each in Bangladesh, Guwahati and Sagaing Region in Myanmar.

Tree conservation in these Umang-Lai spaces has been an age-old tradition of Meetei community throughout the civilisation.

As a result, small grove has been an associated identity of Umang Laikon.

Unfortunately, this identity has been stripped off from most of the Umang Laikons in urban areas in the process to make space for modern amenities, which have also become a necessity with changing time.

It is now public knowledge that deforestation leads to climate change and extreme as well as erratic weather conditions.

People of the state have been facing the effect of deforestation in different forms such as erratic rainfall, flood, drought, natural calamities and heat wave.

Keeping in view of the impact of climate change and shifting identity of Umang Laikon as well as the contribution made by the sacred groves of Umang-Lai in the environment, UKAL took up the pilot project to re-develop sacred groves in Umang Laikons with support from the directorate of environment and climate change, he said.

Some of the Umang Laikons covered in the pilot project are Santhong Apanba of Chanam Sandrok, Palungngamba of Nongpok Sanjenbam, Thumkhong Lairembi of Uyumpok Mamang, Nongpok Ningthou of Yairipok Bishnunaha, Nongpok Panthoibi of Angtha, Huikap Ningthou of Huikap, Ibudhou Panganba & Pureiromba of Bamonkampu, Salairel of Kakyai, Yot Ningthou of Thoubal Kshetrileikai, Nungang Maharaba of Thoubal Khunou, Puruksoubi of Taknakha, Ishing Chaiba of Lamsang, Ibudhou Nongda Lairen Pakhangba of Kabo Leikai, Macha Ibemma of Ningthoukhong, Sekmai Ningthou of Keirak, Houleima Sampubi of Yangangpokpi, Ibudhou Pakhangba of Sangaithel, Ireima of Sekta, Ayangleima of Hiyanglam, Ibudhou Loyalakpa of Leimaram Khunou, Ibudhou Thangjing of Tera Khongsangbi, Nongpok Ningthou Panthoibi of Laingoubi, Santhong Apanba of Saiton, Lainingthou Sanamahi of Thanga, Khuman Pokpa of Karang, Koloileima of Nongmeibung, Chothe Thawai Pakhangba of Kwak Siphai, Khana Chaoba Wang-brel of Wangoo Sandangkhong, Khongjom Ningthou of Khongjom, Nongpok Panthoibi of Khoijumantabi, Sangpaorel of Terakhong, Ishing Chaiba & Santhong Ningthou of Kumbi, Lolang Pakhangba of Wango Sabal, Thangjing of Turelbal (Kwakta) and Nganuleima of Phougakchao Ikhai.

Among the most well-preserved Umang Laikons with dense groves are Konthoujam Lairembi of Konthoujam, Naothingkhong Pakhangba of Patsoi Part-4, Ibudhou Ningthempokpa of Sagoltongba, Huidonpokpi Tarang Apanba of Yurembam, Koubru-Kounu of Phumlou, Machem Chingthang Lairembi of Bamdiar, Korouhanba of Moidangpok, Nongda Lairen Pakhangba of Patsoi Part-2 and Poklenpokpa of Changangei Maning Leikai, he said.

Meanwhile, Chanam Sandrok's Santhong Apanba Lai Committee president Hijam Babumacha told TPC that the initiative to revive sacred groves in the local Umang Laikon began in 2015-16.The initiative got a boost in 2018 when UKAL and directorate of environment and climate change provided tree saplings, which were planted not only in the complex but also along the entrance pathway.

The Lai Committee is nurturing the trees and protecting them by erecting fences through public contributions.

He also sought support from the government so that they could take the initiative further.

Ningthem Pokpa Lai Committee of Sagoltongba also sought the same support from the government to give a boost to the committee's initiative.

On the other hand, a survey report on Umang Lai in Imphal East and West districts conducted by the Central Forest Division in 2015-16 said that there are 373 Umang Laikons in the twin Imphal districts.

There are 173 Umang Laikons in Imphal West district and of them 11 are located on river banks, 147 in plain areas, four near rivers, and seven on hills or at foothills.

Imphal East district has 200 Umang Laikons and out of them four are located on river banks, seven on hills, five at foothills and 147 in plain areas.

The report further said that in Imphal West, land areas covered by different categories of Umang Laikons classified based on the location are 190.11 acres (plain), 11.36 acres (river banks & near river), 273.74 acres (hills), and 5.19 acres (foothills).

Land areas covered by Umang Laikons in Imphal East are 57.42 acres (plain), 8 acres (river banks & near river), 57.98 acres (hills), and 17.14 acres (foothills).

Considering the existence of Umang Laikon in every locality of Meetei community and importance of tree covers in fighting climate change, restoring sacred groves in these Umang Laikons will help in maintaining natural ecosystem in the state, at least to some extent.

(The report has been published under the 3rd State Level Media Fellowship on Climate Change Reporting given by the directorate of environment and climate change, Government of Manipur) .

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