As the World Environment Day 2020 is being observed across the world, the Manipur government-led by Chief Minister N Biren also observed the day by planting trees at the Samadhi of Maharaja Gambhir Singh, Bir Tikendrajit Park and Rani Gaidinliu Park in Imphal on Friday.
The chief minister said the COVID-19 pandemic has given a lesson to human beings for destroying nature on a vast scale. The pandemic has reminded human beings to protect and save the environment, he stated. Natural disasters, global warming, climate change, imbalance rainfall, flood, drought are consequences of destruction of the natural ecological cycle, he asserted.
“Living beings need nature for survival but nature does not need us… The impact of climate change has already started affecting the world; we must take necessary measures to save earth. Human beings need nature to survive and it is important to preserve forest and wildlife,” he said.
While reiterating that “nature does not need us; we are the ones who need nature”, Biren urged all to plant more trees for a greener environment. The state government has initiated Green Mission Manipur to conserve and preserve the forest area of the state.
Mass plantation drives are being taken up in various parts of the state, he mentioned. He appealed to the public to help accomplish the mission.
Concerning COVID-19, he cautioned people of the state that the disease could spread anywhere and infect anyone if the people do not take precautionary measures and obey the advisories, guidelines and protocol issued by WHO, health ministry and medical experts.
About 35,000 stranded people have returned to the state from different parts of the country, he informed while adding that the State government has taken up all precautionary and preventive measures to control the spreading of COVID-19.
Biren appealed to the returnees to obey the Standard operating procedures and guidelines issued by the government. He affirmed that the collective responsibility and understanding can defeat COVID-19. He expressed his appreciation to the efforts of frontline workers, CVOs, local volunteers in the fight against COVID-19.
The state-level World Environment Day 2020 on the theme of ‘Biodiversity’ was organised by Directorate of Environment and Climate Change. Ministers, MLAs and chairman planted the trees at different three places as a part of the occasion.
Forest and Environment Minister Awangbow Newmai, CAF&PD Minister Karam Shyam, deputy speaker K Robindro, chairman LDA L Sushindro, chairman building and construction H Dingo, CM’s advisory K Leishiyo, MLA Yaiskul Th Satyabrata and additional chief secretary(Forest) MH Khan attended the plantation.
Meanwhile, the office staff, teaching staff, production unit and students of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) celebrated World Environment Day on Friday by planting more than 100 plants and trees at the complex of the Academy.
A release stated that the celebration was undertaken under the supervision and guidance of director in charge JNMDA P Bilash Singh. The objectives of the celebration of the event were stated as to spread awareness among the public about issues related to the environment, to create continuous and environmentally friendly development.
Our Ukhrul correspondent added that the World Environment was celebrated in Ukhrul by planting saplings at the premises of the Mini Secretariat Complex, Ukhrul. Organised by the National Green Corps, Ukhrul in collaboration with Ukhrul Forest Division, the event was celebrated in a simple way under the theme "Time For Nature".
SDO Jessami, Kachamthai F Gangmei led the participants in planting saplings.
Unlike previous years, celebration of World Environment Day with mass participation was ruled out due to the ongoing curfew because of COVID-19 pandemic.
In Thoubal district, several voluntary organisations have been witnessed to mark the observance in gaeity moods on Friday, reported our Thoubal Correspondent. Thoubal District police under the supervision of superintendent of Police S Ibomcha observed the event by planting several fruit bearing tree saplings within the complexes of each police station and out posts located under Thoubal District. High ranking police officers and personnel also took part.
NYK Thoubal in collaboration with Joint Forest Management Committee, Salungpham Maning Leikai observed the day at Salungpham Maning hill under the theme "Time for Nature" by planting tree saplings.
Environment Kanba Lup, Heirok part (i)observed the day by planting many tree saplings at the Heirok- Wangjing River bank at Heirok Heitup-pokpi area.
The day was also observed at Salai Eco Tourism park located at Ukhongsang.Several youths planted more than 100 tree saplings within the park. Volunteers of Heirok Sanatorium Seva Ashram Semgat Sagatpa Lup, Heirok also planted many rare varieties of medicinal tree saplings like Uyung, Tairel,Uningthou, pine, neem etc..to mark the observance in and around the shrine place of Nongpok Ningthou located at Heirok Haosoi hill.
Volunteers of Kiyam Siphai Khong Ahanbi area observed the day under the theme "Celebrate Bio-diversity" by planting tree saplings at their localities.
