Manipur may introduce environmental awareness lessons in primary schools, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said at the World Environment Day 2026 observance.
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IMPHAL — Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam on Friday said discussions are underway on the inclusion of environmental awareness as a subject at the primary education level and that he has requested the concerned authorities to submit a proposal to the government for consideration.
He made the announcement while addressing the state-level observance of World Environment Day 2026 held at the City Convention Centre, Konung Mamang, Imphal, under the theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”
Speaking on the occasion, Konthoujam elaborated on this year's World Environment Day theme and said nature has provided everything necessary for sustaining life on Earth. Observing that nature is under increasing stress due to environmental degradation and climate change, he stressed the need for immediate and collective intervention to protect and restore the environment.
The minister said symposiums, seminars and awareness programmes play an important role in sensitising people, but added that meaningful change can only be achieved when citizens take personal responsibility for environmental conservation. He cautioned that failure to act responsibly could affect the planet's ability to sustain life in the future.
Konthoujam also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), is playing a major role in promoting ecological balance and sustainable lifestyles. He urged the public to participate in initiatives undertaken by the Department of Environment and Climate Change and called on citizens to develop climate consciousness and contribute towards environmental conservation.
Addressing the gathering, Principal Secretary for Forest, Environment and Climate Change Arun Kumar Sinha expressed concern over increasing environmental pressures arising from climate change, unsustainable resource use and ecosystem degradation.
He said these challenges are reflected in erratic rainfall, extreme weather events, floods, droughts and biodiversity loss.
Sinha informed that the Government of Manipur is addressing such challenges through integrated planning and policy interventions under the Manipur State Action Plan on Climate Change, with focus on water, health, agriculture and forests.
He highlighted initiatives being undertaken by the department, including river rejuvenation projects, wetland conservation, climate-resilient springshed management, solid waste management and afforestation programmes.
Emphasising that environmental protection cannot be achieved by the government alone, he called upon educational institutions, researchers, community organisations, the private sector and citizens to participate in conservation efforts and adopt sustainable practices.
Director of Environment and Climate Change, Dr. T Brajakumar Singh, also expressed concern over rising global temperatures, sea-level rise and the increasing impacts of climate change, including heat waves and extreme weather events.
He stressed the urgency of environmental conservation and climate action and called for collective efforts to restore ecosystems and safeguard the future of coming generations.
During the programme, the Department of Environment and Climate Change felicitated recipients of Appreciation Awards in recognition of their contributions towards environmental conservation. The awardees were Ksh Surjit Singh, Dr. Kamei Beeju and Laishram Herojit alias Sintha Khuman.
The Green Entrepreneur Award 2026 was presented to Dr. Thangjam Dhabali Singh, while the Climate Communicator Award 2026 was conferred on Dr. Ksh Chitrabhanu Devi.
The Lifetime Achievement Environment Award 2026 was awarded to Dr. Khangembam Shamungou for contributions towards environmental protection, climate action and sustainable development.
Prizes were also distributed to winners of the state-level symposium and state-level essay competition organised in connection with World Environment Day.
The programme also saw the handing over of a Plastic Bottle Bank, Baling Machine and Material Recovery Facility as part of efforts to strengthen waste management infrastructure in the state.
Environment awareness stickers promoting the protection of mountains, wetlands and rivers were also released during the event.