Oil palm plantation is a mono-crop and will negatively impact the environment which has been protected by the indigenous people for centuries, Jiten Yumnam, secretary, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, said on Saturday.
Addressing a one-day awareness campaign on environment and oil palm plantation at Pukhao Terapur Multipurpose Hall, Jiten Yumnam cited the defunct Dolaithabi Barrage, which was commissioned before its completion and people of Pukhao and the nearby villages assured of benefits in terms of irrigation and others. Till date, the assured benefits remain only in paper, he stated.
The awareness was a part of the ongoing campaign against the Oil Palm Plantation in Manipur which has been proposed by the government of Manipur and other states in the North Eastern Region.
Rebati Raman, convenor of Environment Conservation Network, stated that there were many initiatives taken up by the government such as sugar mill, sewage projects, lemon grass plantation, etc.
However, the government failed to fulfill its objectives and these initiatives remained defunct till date after investing crores of amount which could have been invested for the human resource programme, he said.
The campaign was organised by Environment Conservation Network (ECO Network) in support of the Village Development Committee, Women's Welfare Association and Northern Development Youth Club to create an awareness on the impact of oil palm plantation and its impact on the environment.
During the meeting, the participants, who are representatives of the Local Meira Paibi, Youth Club and elders of the village, expressed dissatisfaction against the government and their desire to stop the Oil Palm Plantation in Manipur.
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