CM takes Van Mahotsav to CCpur, two lakh saplings to be planted
Source: The Sangai Express

CCpur, July 01 2019: The State Forest Department took the State level Van Mahotsava celebration to Churachandpur today with Chief Minister N Biren Singh taking the lead to plant two lakh saplings which the department intends to plant during the festive season of planting.

Forest and Environment Minister Th Shyamkumar, Agriculture minister V Hangkhanlian � also in-charge minister of Churachandpur, Saikot MLA TN Haokip, Tipaimukh MLA Dr Chaltonlien Amo, Additional CS Suhel Akhtar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest K Angami, VP State Planning Board Salam Ranjan Singh, Chairman ADC Churachandpur T Paukhanlian, several of his colleagues from the ADC and numerous officials from the government took part in the plantation drive which the forest department has conducted at Tuibong Peace Ground.

Addressing a function conducted on the sidelines of the plantation drive, the Chief Minister said that his Government has taken the State level celebration of Van Mahotsava to the hills as it wants the people of the hills to be actively involved in preserving the forest cover of the State.

The Government last year took the celebration to Ukhrul, he said and added that Churchandpur is the second hill district to host the festival which general is celebrated at Imphal.

CM takes Van Mahotsav to CCpur, two lakh saplings to be planted

"Clearly, we want to give this message to the people that global warming has affected our State.

The hill people dwelling in the hills have a great responsibility in preserving the forest and it is evident that they are lacking a little bit as the hills that can be seen from the town and villages are lying barren with no signs of any green cover," the Chief Minister said.

Mentioning that the Green Mission Manipur launched by the State Government, the Chief Minister said at least 5 to 10 acres of land in each and every village will be reserved for forest cover.

The Mission has been activated in some parts of the valley district and it will soon cover the entire State including the hill districts, he added.

The Chief Minister hailed the memorandum submitted by KSO saying it is encouraging that the student community and the CSOs have come to fight deforestation.

The KSO Churachandpur petitioned him to curb the illegal quarrying and poppy cultivation at the catchment area of Churachandpur town water supply (Patlen Zone) intake point.

Plantation of poppy on a large scale and quarrying of stones in the catchment area is the main cause of deforestation that has left the land barren and dry, said the student body.

The Zomi Students Federation also called on the Chief Minister to open post graduate courses of Manipur University in Churachandpur College.

Acknowledging that the student body made the same request during his maiden visit at the height of agitation against the 3 Bills, Biren assured to look into it in consultation with the university authorities.

Forest and Environment Minister Th Shyamkumar, Agriculture Minister V Hangkhanlian and the State PCCF K Angami also addressed the gathering at the District Indoor Stadium.

About 15 thousand tree saplings were handed over to the public for plantation today.

The plantation drive will however continue for weeks across several forest beats located in the district until they cover the target of 2 lakh saplings, said sources from the Forest Department.