World Environment Day observed in Manipur

[caption id="attachment_253048" align="aligncenter" width="500"] N. Biren Singh plants a sapling during the World Environment Day on Wed. June 5 in Imphal.[/caption] Our Correspondent Imphal, June 5 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has said that the state government will launch a campaign known as ‘Green Manipur, Clean Manipur’ with a solemn objective to protect environment and combat impact of climate change soon. Biren Singh was speaking as the chief guest at the state level World Environment Day observation organised under the theme ‘Air Pollution’ by the Directorate of Environment at the auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society (palace compound, Imphal East on Wednesday. Forest and Environment Minister Th. Shyamkumar observed that people should have the mindset of feeling ashamed if they do not grow trees and plants at their residential complexes. He said that water scarcity that the people are facing today is the impact of deforestation. In order to encourage planting of saplings and impart awareness on the importance of trees, the minister said that Forest and Environment Department would present saplings instead of bouquets and gifts in all its functions in the future. Lok Sabha MP Dr R.K. Ranjan Singh, Tourism Corporation of Manipur Ltd. Chairman Dr. S Ranjan Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of ForestK. Angami, Environment Director Dr. Y. Nabachandra and Dean of School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Manipur University, Prof N. Rajmuhon Singh also attended the function as dignitaries. Meanwhile for the first time in the history of Manipur, more than 50,000 tree saplings mostly of local varieties were planted across more than 1000 educational institutions. The initiative taken up by education department with the Forest Department and All Manipur Working Journalist Union, not only aims in planting of trees but also in monitoring the survivality of these trees that are planted on the historic World Environment Day observation. Manipur Education Minister Thokchom Radheshyam, senior officials of forest and education department attended the formal inauguration of the mass plantation programme at S K Ideal High School, Konthoujam under Imphal West district on Wednesday. Addressing the campaign, Education Minister Radheshyam said planting a tree sapling is very easy but making it survive, grow and attain its maturity is a big challenge. Such action of involving huge number of people will also help in creating massive awareness about the importance of environment and the need to safeguard the nature, says Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Anurag Bajpai. The planting of more trees and covering the land with green plant is the most effective way to fight ‘Air Pollution’ because barren land produce huge amount of carbon dioxide. MLA Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh(Konthoujam), Director Education Department, Th Kirankumar Singh led officials of the Education Department, teachers, students and the guardians attended the celebration of World Environment Day, 2019 which is also being celebrated throughout the world under the theme ‘Air Pollution’.