Focus on bamboo to beat plastic marks WED 2025
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 05 2025: CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST), Branch Laboratory, Lamphelpat, in collaboration with Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS), Manipur, observed World Environment Day 2025 with a firm message regarding eliminating plastic pollution.

The programme was attended by CSIR-NEIST chief scientist Dr Huidrom Birkumar Singh as chief guest and AIMS president Mayanglambam Khelendro Singh as president while Health Services Manipur retired additional director Dr S Manikanta Singh and Dhanamanjuri University assistant professor Dr Rk Chingkhei were guests of honour.

Focus on bamboo to beat plastic marks WED 2025

The programme began with a tree plantation at CSIR-NEIST, Imphal campus.

During his keynote address, AIMS director Dr Atom Sunil Singh emphasised that addressing the plastic pollution problem was not just about eliminating already generated waste but about replacing toxic materials in its entirety.

He emphasised the need to shift toward regenerative, biodegradable substitutes, especially those coming from local ecosystems and indigenous knowledge systems with bamboo as a good alternative.

Dr RK Chingkhei alerted the gathering on rising influx of microplastics into nature.

He underscored that these unseen, microscopic pollutants, though imperceptible to the human eye, now appear in daily essentials such as food, potable water, and even in the air, and they are an increasingly grave world issue.

Dr S Manikanta Singh referred to the most devastating effects of ignoring the environment, and most particularly the irreparable loss of human and animal life.

Chipping in, Dr H Birkumar highlighted bamboo as an essential nature-based solution to current environmental challenges.

He highlighted bamboo not just as a fast-growing and renewable crop but as a biological stabiliser that can stabilise soil and avoid landslide danger.

He cited concern regarding the plastic waste reaching critical levels, even in the most sensitive areas of the biosphere.

He used quotations from international scientific reports that had found the presence of microplastics in human breast milk, pointing to an unprecedented public health emergency.

The presidential address was delivered by M Khelendro Singh, where he called for using bamboo-based substitutes.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Louphong village, Kamjong district headman Mingthing Mawung.