State observes World Environment Day

Art and Culture Commissioner Dr RK Nimai
speaks in the function

IMPHAL, June 5: As in other parts of the world, the World Environment Day was also observed widely all over the state today with the state observation being held at the Kangla Hall.

The state observation organized by the Directorate of Environment, Government of Manipur was held under this year’s universal theme “Green Economy: Does it include you?” with Principal Secretary, Forest & Environment and Rural Development & Panchayati Raj VK Thakral and Secretary to the Manipur Governor and Art and Culture Commissioner Dr RK Nimai in attendance as chief guest and president respectively.

Addressing the observation, VK Thakral said climate change has also affected Manipur to a great extent.

The minimizing population of rare species of the state’s flora and fauna is evident of the fact that the state has also been affected by climate change.

Pointing out the necessity of the World Environment Day observation, he said people should not commit themselves to safeguarding the environment only during the observation, but should incorporate the commitment in their day to day life.

Considering the future generations, the people of the present should preserve the natural riches available in the state.

Felling of large scale of trees as a way of livelihood is also one of the main factors of soil erosion which has brought a drastic change in climate leading to global warming.

He further expressed that it is time for the people to mphasi the need for afforestation rather than deforestation and preserved the vast natural resources that the state has.

Large scale deforestation in the state has greatly affected the habitats of several animals leading to the fear of several species going extinct from earth’s surface.

The directorate will also organize a tree plantation programme on May 7 at Kangla as part of the state observation.

The Loktak Development Authority and the Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association also jointly observed the day at the MI complex, Lamdan village, Bishnupur district.

In his key-note address, member of Loktak Development Authority Dr Samjai Singh expressed his fear that the world will soon come to an end if the people neglect their duty towards safeguarding the environment.

Laying more emphasis on the need to safeguard bio-diversity, he said that the issue depends a lot on economy.

Further elaborating on the theme of this year’s observation, he said the most important thing facing the people at the moment is economy.

If people have to survive, they need economy.

Green economy means an economy where sustainable development is seen including free from pollution.

He continued that the LDA is observing the day as Loktak Lake is considered the mirror of Manipur but environment around the lake is deteriorating day by day.

Vice chairman Nehru Yuva Sangathan, Ministry of Youth affairs, Government of India, Loitongbam Tilotama said the observation of the day is of world importance.

She further mphasized on the importance of Loktak Lake and said the cleaning of the lake concerns the whole state and not only LDA.

The programme concluded with plantation of tree saplings in the area.

The 69th BN CRPF, Mantripukhri post also observed the day.

The observation included an awareness programme on the day which was launched by DIG CRPF, Imphal BD Das at its post with plantation of tree saplings.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Amateur Photo Club also held a photo exhibition at Lamyanba Sanglen with a two day long photo exhibition.

The exhibition was opened by Deputy Director, Tourism, Dr Shyamsunder.

Vice president, MAPC, Asem Bhakta said the exhibition is trying to bring out the various causes of climate change through the lens of MAPC for the general public of the state.

Meanwhile, a documentary film entitled ‘The Unattended Guest’ was released at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal today.

The documentary based on the endangered ‘Shirui’ bird of the Siroy Hills is being produced by L Shamungou, Senior Staff Reporter of the Sangai Express.

The screening of the documentary was followed by a discussion on climate change and the heritage of Siroy Hills.

The Environment day was also observed at Eco Green Park, Sanjenbam in Imphal East under the aegis of Neta Irawat Memorial Trust. Prof N Tombi, former president of Manipur Sahitya Parishad and A Balkrishna, former Joint Director of IPR attended the event as Chief Guest and president respectively.

At the same time, a week-long World Environment Day 2012 observation was concluded at the Indoor Stadium of Tamenglong district headquarters on Tuesday. It was organized by Organizing Committee, World Environment Day 2012.

Jamhemlung, MLA of Tamenglong constituency, C Arthur, Deputy Commissioner of Tamenglong and H Dilip, Director of Youth Affairs and Sports attended the closing ceremony as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

World Environment Day 2012 was observed at ISKCON Temple organized by Women’s Environment Protection Force, Manipur in collaboration with Bhaktivedanta Institute Mission Higher Secondary School, Sangaiprou, Airport Road, Imphal.

AIR Program Executive Bijaya Mayengbam articulates to the children of the school to plant at least a tree which will grow hand in hand and sample it to their children to come about green economy. Bijaya further gave knowledge how to be aware about how to protect our environment by not accepting plastics from the markets.

Women’s Environment Protection Force, Manipur Founder Secretary Dr. Th Sobita told IFP about global warming and climate change and this impacts every people including students and also parents so thus the need women society to fight against global warming. Dr Sobita further calls every women of Manipur to join hand to reach out the world to save our environment.