Cyclothon marks World Earth Day in Manipur

• IMPHAL — World Earth Day was widely observed in Manipur with various forms of initiatives to protect Mother earth for the future generation on Tuesday.
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• As part of programme, a 10 km-long cyclothon was organised under the aegis of Directorate of Environment and Climate Change (DoECC) in partnership with Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI) Manipur Chapter, Editors' Guild Manipur (EGM), All Manipur Working Journalists' Union, Manipur Adventure and Mountain Biking Association and Riverbank Society Manipur, with active participation of nearly 500 cyclists from different walks of life to promote bicycle use as alternative to fossil fuels in Imphal.

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• The principal secretary of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Arun Kumar Singh, accompanied by the director, Dr. T Brajakumar, and president of AHPI Manipur, Dr. Kh Palin and EGM secretary, Yumnam Rupachandra, flagged off the cyclothon from western gate of historic Kangla fort in Imphal around 8 am.
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• The cyclothon passed through Governor's road, Keishampat, Keishamthong, Pishumthong, Singjamei Chingamakhong, Moirangkhom, Secretariat, Sanjenthong, Konung-Mamang (Palace gate), Nongmeibung, Anand Singh Academy traffic junction, Porompat traffic point, DC’s office and converged at the premises of the Directorate of Environment and climate change located at Porompat.
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• Speaking on the occasion, Arun Kumar Sinha, said, “It is everybody’s effort that counts if we really want to save the environment and really want to save it through our posterity.”
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• Recalling the human pressure which has been impacting the environment and the planet earth, Dr T Brajakumar said, “We’ve no other place to live except our Mother Earth. So we are the only generation to protect it for future generation. We should rethink while taking up certain developments and adopt a sustainable lifestyle.”
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• Sharing a similar sentiment, Dr. Kh Palin, who is the chairman and managing director of Shija Hospitals said, “Burning fossil fuels is damaging our one only earth. Humans are responsible for both damage and repair of the earth. Cycling help reduces fuel consumption.”
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• The officials and staff of the Central Forest Division of the Forest department also conducted a cleanliness drive at Cheiraoching, a hillock with view towers.