Make Manipur torchbearer in fight against climate issues: Biswajit
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, December 21 2024: Directorate of Forest, Environment & Climate Change (DoE&CC) organised its 5th anniversary of Media Resource Centre (MRC) at Hotel Imphal here on Saturday.

Forest, environment & climate change minister Th Biswajit Singh attended the event as chief guest, principal secretary (FE&CC) Arun Kumar Sinha as special guest, and DoE&CC director Dr T Brajakumar as president.

MRC advisor Irengbam Arun; expert members Pradip Phanjoubam, Khogendra Khomdram, and Salam Rajesh; DoE&CC joint directors Neeta Arambam and Ph Vivekananda Sharma were also present at the event as guests of honour.

In his speech, minister Biswajit highlighted the need for convincing and making people understand the complications of climate change and how and what they should do in tackling issues related to it.

There is always a solution for every problem, so one should adopt the habit of sustainable preservation and inheriting methods or means accordingly.

It is undeniable that destruction is done already for every human civilisation but we should learn its reversing process also, he added.

He further said that many climatic issues facing these days are because of the fight with nature, and mankind has destructed and disturbed the natural ecosystems.

So, from now onwards, positive ideas and new approaches should be encouraged from every sphere of life to bring in some changes in the environment.

Biswajit continued that the country has taken up many measures to tackle climatic issues.

One of the measures is the International Solar Alliance (2015) led by India and France and consisting of 120 members.

PM Modi launched the alliance with the goal of reducing the carbon emission to achieve net zero target.

In India's context, the target is to bring the carbon emission rate to net zero by 2070, he informed.

Under the initiative, the focus is on replacing 50 per cent of the thermal energy and hydroelectric energy by solar energy.

So far, India has the capacity to produce 90 gigawatt of solar/renewable energy, and would soon be able to produce around 500 gigawatt by 2030, the minister added.

Recalling "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Campaign", the minister emphasised the importance of each tree, its contribution towards mankind, and the need for preserving such useful natural gift for mankind.

Forest are classified into reserved forest, protected forest and unclassed forest.

The term 'reserved forest' is used because it has ample number of rich resources which all should be aware of, he stated.

He continued that to make the awareness possible, the media, being the voice helping in carrying forward the message of climate change and issues further leading to global forums, plays a major role.

Establishing such a platform further helps to bridge the gaps between the policy makers, researchers, general practitioners and general public.

The department, through Media Resource Centre, is presently sponsoring radio plays, programmes and other educational related awareness and initiatives through media.

It has been giving capacity building to almost 50 journalists so far in the state of Manipur.

Biswajit then assured that the government will support those who want do research on this matter.

Moreover, he emphasised on organising climate change conclaves every year on the topic of forest and environment climate change.

It should be an open forum involving all media fraternity, he added.

MRC was initiated in 2018-2019 with the primary objective to spread awareness of issues revolving around climate change particularly focusing on Manipur, he conveyed.

Manipur should become a torchbearer for tackling climatic issues in north-eastern region.

Once this feat is achieved, the state will not only become beneficial for the country but also for the world over, the minister said, while urging all to broaden their horizon.

The main highlight of the function was the felicitation of around 50 climate change media partners (print and electronic media) with mementos.

This felicitation was the 4th edition since its inception.

A short video on the activities of MRC was also screened at the function.

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