Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday led hundreds of school students to raise a slogan, “Let us plant a sapling in the name of Mother Earth,” and planted seedlings to enhance the green cover across the state.
The Chief Minister was attending as chief guest in a function held as a part of the Van Mahotsav, 2024, known as the “Festival of Forests,” at Chingpu Sabi Lairembi Ching foothills under the Lamlai assembly segment in Imphal East district on Tuesday.
Later, in his social media, the Chief Minister wrote, “Planting a tree in honour of our mothers symbolizes nurturing and protection. We aim to plant 50 lakh saplings, with 30 lakh to be planted by the end of September 2024. Let’s all take a pledge to work together for a greener and more sustainable Manipur.”
Further, the CM posted, “Delighted to be part of the ‘Ek Ped: Maa Ke Naam’ (A Plant in the Name of Mother) organized by the Forest Department of Manipur along with the in-charge minister Th. Biswajit and other minister/MLAs at Chingpu Sabi Lairembi Ching, Lamlai.”
Officials stated that the CM joined hundreds of students in greener Manipur campaigns amid concerns of official reports that each year 420 sq. km annually are deforested in Manipur and if this goes on for 10 to 15 years there will be an imbalance of nature.