Government’s attention drawn against plantation of exotic plants in Manipur

Imphal: Former vice chancellor, Dhanamanjuri University, Manipur, professor Nongmaithem Rajmuhon Singh drawn the attention of the state government against plantation of exotic plants.

Rajmuhan said the practice of plantation of exotic plants brought from outside the state should be avoided and to make it effective the government need be concerned while planting exotic plants.

Rajmuhon was speaking at the ‘World Environment Day” function held at the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Porompat, Imphal East on Wednesday.

The observation was conducted under the theme “Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience”.

For the last few decades the temperature of Manipur has been gradually increased. The increasing of population of Cucooks is also not a good sign. Such bird species usually survive in hot climatic environment and increasing the population of the bird could be taken as an indication of climate change in Manipur, Rajmuhan said.

He said without research people are planting many exotic plants and trees in the state by replacing the indigenous flora. Increasing number of exotic plants in the state could be a factor of changing climate, temperature and environment.

Land restoration which is one of a point of the theme could be compared on the soils of Manipur. The issue on increasing number of Poppy cultivation in hill areas, decreasing Jhum cycle in hilly regions of Manipur is related to the theme, he added.

Most of the infrastructures in Manipur are constructed after destroying the water bodies.

Topics on environment should be included in schools and colleges curriculum so that the protection of environment could be started from the grass root level, he said.

Director of Directorate of Environment and climate change, said the rate of desertification in Manipur has been increasing. Many springs has been dried up, a research based policy need to be implemented for the protection of the changing environment of Manipur.

A panel discussion on the topic “Role of College in green education programme and climate action in Manipur” was conducted in the second session of the programme.

Principal, Waikhom Mani Girls College, Thoubal, Professor Hanjabam Manoranjan Sharma; department of zoology, Manipur University, professor N Motilal Meitei; assistant professor, Nambol L Sanoi College, Nambol, Irungbam Jamuna Devi and assistant professor DM College of Science, DMU, Likmabam Sanjoy Meitei also attended the programme as panellist.

The environment day was also observed at Tamphasana Girls Higher Secondary School.

A tree plantation programme was also conducted at the premises of the school.

Manipur Human Rights Commission joined the world in observing the World Environment Day with the theme: “Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience under the slogan “our land and our future.

As part of observation, the commission team led visited New Chadong village, Kamjong district where they planted trees during an interaction with the villagers held on 2nd October last year. On seeing of the growing of trees, the team appreciated the villagers of New Chadong for nurturing the trees.

They also planted more than 50 new trees in and around the village.

Ramthing Kasar, Village Development Committee chairman of New Chadong village and social worker Asang Kasar joined the tree plantation.

The commission team inspected Primary Health sub-centre and Primary School at New Chadong.

The Law officer of the commission said a safe clean, healthy and sustainable environment is integral to the full enjoyment of a wide range of human rights, including the right to life, health, food, water and sanitation.

Royal Riders Manipur (RRM) also observed the programme with a tree plantation saplings at Baruni hill top.