State implements 17 plan schemes to combat climate change
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, June 16 2016: To combat climate change scenario in the State � a burning issue in the global context, seventeen approved plan schemes with community participation which may serve as an approach for strategies and action plan are being implemented presently by the Directorate of Environment.

The plan schemes are eco-development programme, environment education programme, environment moni- toring cell, solid waste management, environmental information dissemination, multi-disciplinary scientific study of catchment area of major river basins, information technology (IT), natural resources, environment impact studies, GIS applications/techniques/tools/training, ecology and environment (conservation of wet- lands and lakes), climate change, environmental research and developmental programme, environment planning and management, management and conservation of water bodies, cultural and traditional ecology, prevention and control of pollution (Grants-in-aid to MPCB) .

The main function of the Directorate of Environment in the State is policy planning, conservation, regulation, coordination and promotion of environment related issues along with its meaningful application in various developmental programmes to achieve the socio-economic objectives of the State.

The Directorate is mandated to enforce the Environment (Protection) Act , 1986 and subsequent rules in the state.

The Directorate of Environment implements plan schemes /works, projects for advancing mass awareness and protection of the fragile environment in order to maintain a consistent balance be- tween the development programmes and restoration of natural environment of Manipur.

Besides these, data collection, information dissemination, research and development on the state specific environmental issues along with extension of services to different Government Departments/Academic Institutions/NGOs on Water-Air-Soil quality through its R&D Laboratory, of which is considered to be the only referral laboratory in the State, are some of the prime activities of the department.

The Directorate of Environment is the Regional Resource Agency (RRA) in Manipur for implementation of the National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) of the MoEF, Government of India.

The ENVIS (Environmental Information System) Centre, established in the Environment Department under the sponsorship of MoEF, Government of India is playing a vital role as a comprehensive networking partner of the country for environmental information collection, collation, storage, retrieval and dissemination to different users.

It may also be mentioned that the physical progress and achievement during the last 15 years are establishment of Ningshingkhun Biodiversity Park, Jiribam � improvement and maintenance work is continuing, maintenance work is under progress for Conservation of Yaral Pat.

Improve- ment of biodiversity conservation and beautification of Irong water body is completed and improvement/ maintenance work is continuing.

Improvement/main- tenance work is continuing for beautification and improvement of Eco-Park at Mayangkhang, Senapati and Seloi Eco-park, Imphal East.

Further, the maintenance work is under progress for Beautification of eco-development of Kangla and improvement of State Botanical Garden at Khonghampat.

The department has updated regularly the official website � www.manipurenvironment.com published every year various environmental reports, newsletters, calendar etc.

Improvement of Road Median Plantation in Imphal city has been completed.

15 automated weather monitoring stations to monitor micro-climate of the State have been installed in all districts.

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Strategies for Development of activities in district and sub-district levels is under progress.

Upgradation of the existing environment monitoring, research and development laboratory has completed with sophisticated equipment.

Established GIS (Geographical Information System) Lab � since 2010 and augmentation is under progress.

Development of State Environment database � developed since 2002 by ENVIS (Environment Information System) Centre of this Directorate.

Manipur Climate Change Cell for wider regional climatic information network was established in the Directorate since 2014.The Directorate has so far received more than 50 proposals from different Government departments/institutions/organisations for granting Environment Clearance (EC) .

The Directorate has received more than 25 proposals from Revenue Department for Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for land acquisition.

The Directorate has identified 21 wetlands for conservation.

State action plan on climate change has been prepared.

Work is under progress for development of eco-park at Lilong and Awang Potsangbam.

The upcoming project under pinelines are National Adaptation Programme for Climate Change on Model Carbon Positive Eco-Village at Phayeng and UNDP & Global Environment Facilities Project on renewable energy and energy efficiency.

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