CCSK launches tree plantation mission "Sanghanlasi Iramdam"
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 20 2021: The Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK) has launched a tree plantation drive/mission called "Sanghanlasi Iramdam" to bring greenery all over the State yesterday.

The mission was launched under the supervision of the Forest Department and in association with residents of Chadong village and Union of Private Rehabilitation Centre Kangleipak by planting tree saplings in and around Chadong village yesterday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the inaugural programme of the mission, DFO/Central Division RK Amarjit expressed concern over the deteriorating ecological balance due to unchecked deforestation and stressed on the importance of afforestation to help undo the damage done to nature.

He also said that such a programme will only bear fruit if the planted saplings are nurtured till they are fully grown.

Reserved Forest Areas are declared following procedure under Indian Forest Act, 1927 but the State had witnessed considerable shrinkage in forest area due to lack of manpower and other inconveniences, he said.

But now forest guards have been imparted necessary training and will be instrumental in solving the issue, he said.

The DFO also lauded civil society organisation for joining hands in undertaking such a positive campaign and urged all who want to undertake tree plantation drives to collect saplings upto a limit they can fully look after from the forest department.

There are a lot of undisturbed places filled with lush green vegetation and it should be the utmost responsibility of all to preserve such places and help extend forest cover or plantation area, he continued.

The responsibility of protecting forest should not be the Forest Department's sole responsibility, he said while urging all to play their parts.

There has been continued effort from the Department's side to raise awareness on the importance of conservation of forest but it has not yet reached to every corner of the State owing to deficiency in budget and other support, he said while adding that the Department has reached most of the State people through media platforms.

The awareness campaign has brought some positive results as the rate of deforestation in parts of the State has decreased in the past few years, he said.

CCSK president, Jitendra Ningombam, meanwhile maintained that the mission will be conducted in a phased manner in parts of the State and the body is targeting to plant 50,000 saplings during the mission.

Stressing on the importance of such an event, the CCSK president also urged all to help nurture the plants which have been planted today.

Speaking at the occasion, former chairman of New Chadong village, Asang Kasar stated that making Chadong a tourist destination will be beneficial for the State.

The place continues to remain very much natural and its preservation will be an ideal step, he said while adding that tree plantation drives will add teeth to their effort to preserve the natural beauty of the place.

The village was created after Mapithel Dam was commissioned but the dam has not benefited Chadong villagers much till date, he said.

The approach roads to the new village are in poor condition and such villagers are facing forms of inconveniences, he said while drawing the State Government to look into the matter and do the needful.

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