Campaign to preserve wildlife sanctuaries, wetlands launched

Imphal: Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh flagged off a month long “Know Your Sanctuaries and Wetlands” media campaign at Manipur Press Club, Imphal on Sunday.

The campaign was organized by All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) under the sponsorship of department of forest and directorate of environment and climate change.

The campaign started with 22 journalists including four women and two members of Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association heading for Bunning, Zeliad Wildlife Sanctuary, Jiri Makru, Tamenglong district for a four days trip.

The team will also observe World Wetland Day on February 2 at Zeliad Lake.

Biren said organizing such media campaign was very important as media could play a crucial role in providing awareness to the public about the importance of preserving our wildlife sanctuaries and wetlands. Expressing sadness on the deteriorating conditions of the state’s reserve forest, national parks, sanctuaries and wetlands, he stressed on the need of selfless joint efforts on the part of all stakeholders to protect the human race from the harmful effects of climate change.

“The insincerity on the part of concerned officials by providing patta in wetland and forest areas and their short visions were among the factors of worsening condition of the state’s environment,” Biren said.

Mentioning about large scale deforestation at Mount Koubru, he also urged the forest department officials to carry out a spot visit and take up necessary steps with strict rules to save the forest areas.

Forest environment and climate change minister Awangbow Newmai said the media campaign was not just important for providing information to the public but also helpful in government’s planning for taking up developmental projects.

During the campaign will cover other different places of the state including Ithai Pat, Loktak Pat, Keibul Lamjao National Park and Thinungei Bird Sanctuary in Bishnupur district; Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary in Tengnoupal district; Usoipokpi Pat, Waithou Pat, Utra Pat, Lousi Pat, Khoidum Pat, Kharam Pat and Ikop Pat in Thoubal district; Khayang Pat, Kachopung Pat in Kamjong district; Siroi National Park in Ukhrul district; Khamlang Pat, Yaral Pat, Poirou Pat, Heingang Pat in Imphal East; Zaimeng Lake in Kangpokpi District and Kailam Wildlife Sanctuary in Pherzawl district.