Manipur to introduce Best Reporter Award for climate change reporting

IMPHAL — The Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Manipur, will introduce an annual award to recognise journalists reporting on environmental and climate change issues in the state.

Director Dr T Brajakumar announced that the Best Reporter Award for Climate Change Reporting will be presented from next year, tentatively during the World Wetlands Day observation on February 2.

The announcement was made during the third joint interaction programme with recipients of the 6th State Level Media Fellowship Programme (2025–26) on the theme “Alien Species in Manipur — Linking to Climate Change” held at the Directorate’s conference hall in Porompat, Imphal, on Monday.

The programme, organised by the Media Resource Centre in collaboration with the State Climate Change Cell, featured experts including Prof T Shantibala, Deputy Director (Research) of Central Agricultural University; Dr M Haripriya, Associate Professor of Botany, Manipur College; and Dr Arati Ningombam, Senior Scientist at ICAR-Northeast Hill Region, Manipur Centre.

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The speakers observed that climate change is among the major factors contributing to the rapid growth and spread of pests in Manipur.

The interaction aimed to build the capacity of journalists in climate change reporting by facilitating exchanges with scientists, scholars, and climate activists to strengthen understanding and networks on climate issues.

Since 2019, the Directorate has awarded more than 50 journalists across the state under its Media Fellowship Programme on climate change reporting.