Imphal: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh Saturday inaugurated and dedicated a series of projects at Andro and further assured to bring more development in the area.
Following a series of inaugurations and dedications of projects including the inauguration of a 33/11 KV sub-station at Andro, the dedication of Huikap High School, the inauguration of a 100-bed girls’ hostel and school building at Andro High School, the dedication of a 100-bed girls’ hostel at KGBV, Andro, and the upgradation of KGBV Andro NP, the Chief Minister also attended a formal function inaugurating the NEC funded Project Integrated Approach for Enhancing Ecosystem Services of Nungkot at Nungkot.
Speaking at the formal function at Nungkot, the Chief Minister asked officials of the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change to identify locations around hillocks and check the feasibility of developing similar projects with assistance from the centre.
The Chief Minister also thanked the officials of the Environment Department for their efforts and, at the same time, warned the people about global warming. He said that now we are feeling the heat even in January and added that there will be no winter or water in another 10 years if we allow the present trend of deforestation.
“Today we are witnessing bald hill slopes,” he warned.
Manipur, as a state, has so much potential, and he continued speaking of the beautiful landscapes and nature of the state.
The Chief Minister also spoke out strongly against deforestation, urging residents not to cut down trees and promising gas connections to households without them.
Further stating that the area now has two major tourist attractions, the Santhei Natural Park and the project inaugurated today, he spoke further about the development of Kaina.
The Chief Minister also said that all communities in the state should have the freedom to grow and live, without any pressure from other communities.
Highlighting a series of inaugurations in recent times, including Polo Statue at Ibudhou Marjing, Olympian Park, the Southern Cultural Centre at Behiang, etc., he said that it is the inauguration month of the present government and that the present government believes in delivering on their promises.
Biren also appealed to the local clubs of the villages inhabiting the foothills in the valley and those neighbouring hill districts to form youth committees. Further highlighting recent wildfires, the Chief Minister said these committees, in consultation with the District Forest Officers or local police, should conduct foot patrols in their respective areas and check the use of fire by picnickers, which could start wildfires and destroy the forest.
At the Kasturba Gandhi Bal Vidyalaya, N. Biren Singh assured that he would look into the demands of the students.
Encouraging the young girl students of the school, the Chief Minister cited several references to highlight that women have always been at the forefront. He reminded the young students of the role played by the women folk of the land in driving out the Burmese army from the land with the support and guidance of Heerachandra during the seven-year devastation.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Thongam Biswajit said that the inauguration of the 33/11 kV sub-station will considerably improve the power supply in the area. He said earlier power supplies to Andro were fed from the 33/11 Kongba Sub-station through thick vegetation, resulting in poor quality and irregular power supplies.
The minister said the new sub-station will supply power to Andro and its nearby villages like Huikap, Moirangpurel, Angtha, Phunal Maring, Karpur Sungba, Ngariyan Muslim Khun, Nongmaijing, etc.
He went on to say that it will help bring more industries to the area.
Biswajit also said that sustainable development depends on education and further lauded the local MLA, Th. Shyamkumar, for his efforts in improving the education sector in the area.
Citing the inauguration of the series of projects, the minister further said that the present government believes in delivering on its promises.
Minister Th. Basantakumar Singh, Local MLA Th. Shyamkumar Singh, and Additional Chief Secretary Forest and Environment MH Khan were among those who attended the event.Cultural programmes were also shown during the function, which was attended by locals from Nungkot and Andro.
