Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 16:
A two-day National level seminar on 'Land, identity and development: Manipur experience' has begun from today at Hotel Nirmala here.
The seminar is being organised jointly by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), North Eastern Regional Centre, Shillong and RK Sanatombi Devi Research Institute of Social Sciences, Imphal under the sponsorship of Rural Development, Ministry, Department of Lan Resources, Government of Manipur.
The inaugural function was the seminar was attended by Secretary of North Eastern Council Phalguni Rajkumar, Vice Chancellor of Manipur University Prof C Amuba and Prof Gangmumei Kamei as chief guest, guest of honour and chairperson respectively.
Secretary (PD) of Union External Ministry Viraj Singh was also present at the occasion.
In his address as chief guest of the function, NEC Secretary Phalguni explained various concepts of land and identity and said that North Eastern States have their own system of land use and land reforms.
Inspite of this, one has to be acquainted with the prevailing system of land use, identity and development in other parts of the world while keeping in mind the traditional system of the North East region.
In case we cannot ensure provisions for two square of meals to the people, we have no rights to ask them to stop jhumming cultivation, howsoever, dibiliting its effect might be on the environment, he said.
The recommendations adopted at the end of the seminar would be taken into consideration at the time of formulating developmental policy in future, he assured.
Prof C Amuba said that since the impact of the development activities is directly felt on the environment, special thrust should be given on the concept of sustainable development.
However, the developmental strategies in Manipur have not been able to implement successfully due to various reasons, he added.