CM distributes Rs 1.54 cr to eco-club schools
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, August 31 2019: Chief Minister N Biren Singh distributed Rs 1.54 crore to 3080 District Eco-Club Schools of the State through the respective Deputy Com-missioners and Member Se- cretaries of District Implem-entation and Monitoring Committees (DIMC) at a function held at the Durbar Hall of Chief Minister's Secretariat today.

The function was organised by Manipur Pollution Control Board under National Green Corps (NGC) Programme, 2018-19 .

Speaking at the occasion as the chief guest, N Biren Singh said that there is a pressing need for effective implementation of environment related programmes like National Green Corps (NGC) Programme considering the impacts of climate change being witnessed across the globe.

CM distributes Rs 1.54 cr to eco-club schools

The State Government has taken up some dedicated steps like launching of CM's Green Manipur Mission to tackle climate chan- ge and global warming, he said, expressing hope that naming of nine-year-old Valentina Elangbam, an ardent tree-lover, as the Green Ambassador of Manipur by the State Government would certainly encourage and motivate people to plant more trees.

He further informed that over 1400 tree saplings were distributed to those who came to meet him on Meeyamgi Numit yesterday.

Biren further said that Manipur Pollution Control Board, under the able Chairmanship of L Radhakishore, has also been working hard in every possible manner to tackle pollution in the State.

Works related to Nambul Rejuvenation Project are underway, and DPRs for similar projects of other rivers are also being drafted for submission to the Centre, he informed.

In his speech, the Chief Minister also emphasised on the need to do every work with sincerity and dedication.

In order to reduce noise and air pollution, the Chief Minister said that diesel auto-rickshaws should be phased out and replaced by e-rickshaws.

Stating that rampant deforestation and large scale poppy plantation in the hills creates excessive soil erosion, the Chief Minister urged the people to stop poppy plantation as it has become the main reason for siltation of rivers and lakes.

On the other hand, the Chief Minister also expressed satisfaction that 267 villages of Ukhrul district, under the guidance of Tangkhul Naga Long, had come forward to set aside 5 to 10 acres of land in every village for forest conservation under the CM's Green Manipur Mission.

Regarding Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC), the Chief Minister said that there are many discrepancies in the existing SECC database.

Many needy and deserving people were left out while many well-to-do families were found categorised as needy families in the said database, he said adding that as such, the Government is facing a huge difficulty in implementing schemes meant for needy people.

The Chief Minister cautioned that the State Government would not tolerate any irregularity in data collection or spare any wrongdoer this time and asked enumerators and officials concerned of the ongoing Economic Census to visit each and every household to avoid discrepancies.

Forest and Environment Minister Th Shyamkumar, Education Minister Th Radheshyam, Tribal Affairs and Hills Minister N Kayisii, Manipur Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker K Robindro, Manipur Pollution Control Board Chairman L Radhakishore and Additional Chief Secretary (Forest and Environment) Dr Suhel Akhtar also attended the function as dignitaries.

National Green Corps (NGC) Programme is being implemented in the State with Manipur Pollution Control Programme as the Nodal Agency.

Under the programme, 200 Eco-Clubs were established for the first time in different schools across nine districts of the State in 2004 .

Every district has a District Implementation and Monitoring Committees (DIMC) to implement the programme with respective DCs as the chairman.

The Member Secretaries of the committees in consultation with the teacher in-charge of the schools having Eco-Clubs organise different programmes to impart awareness on environment protection.

The Chief Minister also extended a monetary assistance of Rs 50,000 to ailing veteran journalist N Deben at the function.

The amount was handed over to Joint Editor of ISTV News, Richard Ranjan.