With the theme ‘Beat plastic Pollution,’ the World Environment Day was widely observed on Tuesday across the state of Manipur with active participation of more people than the observations held in previous years despite the seasonal drizzling.
The State level World Environment Day was observed at the MMI Complex, Lamdan in Churachandpur district under the aegis of the Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA) with the support of Directorate of Environment, Government of Manipur.
Forest and Environment Minister Th Shyamkumar, Chairman, Manipur Pollution Control Board L Radhakishore Singh,Thanga MLA T Robindro, Director, Environment department Y Nabachandra Singh,Prof N Rajmohun of Manipur university, MMTA President K Bijoy and others attended the observation.
Since early morning, environment and nature loving people from various pockets of the State started to gather at different locations including foothill, hill top, religious and tourists centres to take up tree plantations and distribution of non-disposable carry bags besides installation of waste bins in association with the state authorities, forest and environment departments in particular.
Compared to the observations in previous years, the participation of the people in World Environment Day is much higher this time, according to an observer.
Interestingly holding tree saplings in their hands more than 50 volunteers of Pole Star Guardian Association Thinungei,Lainingthou Sanamahi Thougalup,Thingpui (Laimanai) village authority, Toubul Youth Development Association, Toubul, and Global Science Club Khoijuman, Indian Bird Conservation Network Manipur and officials of Bishnupur Forest Division walk up to the sacred shrine of Lainingthou Sanamahi located on top of Laimanai hill about 1272 m above sea level under Churachandpur district to launch the first ever tree plantation campaign to make the religious site greener.
As part of the day’s observation, State Chief Minister N Biren Singh led ministers and officials launched a Cherry Blossom Avenue, an initiative of Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) – a National Institute of Department of Biotechnology at Luwangsangbam, in Manipur’s Imphal East district early morning on the occasion of World Environment Day.
Public Health Engineering Minister L Dikho, Agriculture Minister V Hangkhanlian, Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu and IBSD Director Dr Dinabandhu Sahoo, Imphal East Zilla Parishad Adhyaksha P Bimola Devi and Advisor to Chief Minister Rajat Sethi, also attended the function.
Directorate of Information and Public Relations also observed the day with the Works and Information Minister Th Biswajit as the chief guest in Imphal.
The district authorities of Senapati, Chandel, Tamenglong and others also observed World Environment Day by holding different environment protection related activities.
