In view of the current COVID-19 lockdown, the annual memorial lecture organised by Dr Thingnam Kishan Foundation (DTKF) remained cancelled for this year, said a release. The foundation has been organising a series of lectures annually to mark the birth anniversary of Dr Thingnam Kishan on June 28, it said.

The plantation drive was headed by forest man, Moirangthem Loiya, an environmentalist who has been honored with awards for his contribution towards conserving Punshilok forest at Langol Imphal, it stated. The plantation kicked off at 6 am at Mapari Ningshingkol Lup (MANIL), Uripok machine, memorial site of the three sons of the soil namely: Dr Thingnam Kishan, A Rajen and Y Token, it added.

Taking serious note of the degrading environment and the dare need to conserve it, DTKF as a small stepping step towards afforestation carried out today’s tree plantation drive, it said. The foundation conveys gratitude to the Forest department for giving tree saplings, it added.

As part of the event, an informal discussion on the environment was also held after the tree plantation, the release said. Loiya urged for the need of active participation in planting trees and simultaneously minimizing carbon footprints, it further said while adding he also reminded that every individual is a part of mother earth and a self-realization on contributing to the welfare of the Earth is the pathway to peaceful co-existence.
Member of DTKF Homen Thangjam, who is also a faculty at Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Regional Centre Imphal, drew attention for the need of mass campaign in bringing about proper knowledge to the farmers of Manipur to practice sensible agricultural practice to bring about quality soil health maintenance in avoiding potential agricultural lost in the near future.

The event was also attended by secretary of MANIL Yumlembam Kapur, president MANIL Soram Tiken and other well-wishers, it added.