'EBADA fostering hill-valley brotherhood'
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 18 2023:
Eastern Border Area Development Authority (EBADA) has been working on the ground to harmonise relationship between hills and valley people through promotion of alternate farming system in place of poppy and jhum cultivation in the hill districts, said EBADA project director Nongthombam Loyalakpa.
Addressing a press meet at its office near Sanjenthong, here, on Wednesday, Loyalakpa said that jhum and illegal poppy cultivation are the main factors for deforestation in the hill areas of the state.
In order to discourage such practices and promote alternate farming system, EBADA, which is headed by chief minister, launched Alternative Farming System for Tribal Jhumias/ Poppy Planters in Hill Districts of Manipur in 2022.Under the project, EBADA provided seeds, equipment and tools to farmers in hill districts for the first phase on December 15 last year.
The first phase ended in March and EBADA is in the process to launch the second phase when the violence broke out, he said.
Despite the ongoing crisis, EBADA continued its works through its sub-ordinate staff.
A special budget for EBADA was earmarked by the Biren government and North Eastern Council (NEC) has also been extending assistance to the agency for the success of its projects.
Besides,'EBADA has been getting full cooperation from other line departments.
During the current crisis, the agency distributed saplings, seeds and other planting materials to different beneficiary farmers.
Better quality green houses are being set up in different beneficiary villages.
Solar street lamps are also in transit for installation in these areas.
Once the situation improves, EBADA will begin a series of capacity building and awareness programmes.
As of now, the agency has organised awareness programmes on pest control in Kamjong.and Noney districts.
Efforts are on to cover other hill districts as well as to plant tree saplings in foothill areas, especially in Chandel to Ukhrul and Senapati to Churachandpur areas, elaborated Loyalakpa.
EBADA project manager M Anthony was also present at the press meet.