Imphal: In a magnificent testament to environmental stewardship and collective civil-military synergy, the Assam Rifles commemorated World Environment Day 2026 by executing extensive ecological conservation campaigns, water security initiatives and massive tree plantation drives across multiple districts of Manipur. This grand initiative is anchored around the United Nations Environment Programme global theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.” and focused on combating climate change, mitigating soil degradation, reversing deforestation, protecting natural spring-sources and preserving local biodiversity. Acknowledging the stark warnings sent by the planet through rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns, the force stepped forward to translate environmental targets into immediate, impactful actions, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to community welfare and sustainable development across the region.
The mega environmental campaign, spanning 4 and 5 June 2026, witnessed the monumental planting of over 18,900 indigenous and ecologically beneficial saplings, transforming landscapes across the Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, Chandel, Imphal East, Tengnoupal, Ukhrul, Kamjong and Churachandpur districts. This massive undertaking saw a spectacular convergence of various stakeholders, drawing heartfelt participation from 3,432 personnel and their families alongside hundreds of village leaders, local residents, non-governmental organisations, forest department officials and enthusiastic school children who joined hands to nurture and safeguard Mother Nature for future generations.
Leading this state-wide green crusade on 5 June 2026, a premiere plantation drive was launched at the Headquarters of Assam Rifles at Mantripukhri Garrison, Imphal West district. Demonstrating environmental leadership from the very apex of the force, senior officials and around 360 personnel located within the garrison united to plant 500 saplings of various species across the institutional landscape, setting a powerful precedent for the concurrent regional campaigns.
Following in the footstpes of this central event, simultaneous, widespread and vibrant plantation drives resulted in the successful planting of 5,000 saplings across a network of frontier villages including Kakching, Khangshim, Molcham, Phaisangjang, Mombi, Joupi, Longja, Chakpikarong, Sehlon, Aibol Joupi, Phoilen, Kovang, Old Samtal and New Samtal situated within the Kakching, Thoubal and Chandel districts. This expansive movement brought together 350 personnel, 300 villagers and 200 vibrant children who planted rich fruit-bearing and shade-providing varieties. A profound sense of unity was displayed at the Longja Junior High School and the Oriental Children Home in Chakpikarong, where energetic young boys and girls worked shoulder-to-shoulder with the soldiers and forest officials, while creative painting competitions further fostered environmental consciousness among the youth.
Simultaneously, in the Imphal East district, Assam Rifles partnered with the Rainbow Foundation NGO and the Little Star Academy primary school to conduct a focused environmental awareness and afforestation drive at the Singjamei. Moving beyond mere plantation, this event featured interactive learning sessions designed to educate young minds on biodiversity conservation and sustainable living practices. Further building on the multi-district momentum from 4 June 2026 itself, the force initiated a large-scale prelude at the New Keithalmanbi Garrison and the Waroiching Company Operating Base. At the New Keithalmanbi Garrison, 148 personnel along with 15 residing families successfully planted 600 indigenous saplings across designated institutional zones. Concurrently, at the Waroiching base, the Force collaborated with 25 villagers from the immediate neighbourhood to plant 200 saplings, focusing on improving the local ecological landscape and encouraging village-level ownership of natural resources.
The environmental crusade expanded significantly across other vital garrisons on 5 June 2026. At Pallel Garrison, a collective team of 240 personnel, families and 25 students and teachers from the Assam Rifles Public School, Pallel successfully planted 1,400 saplings to enhance the green canopy. In the strategic border regions of Tengnoupal district, comprehensive drives at the Tengnoupal and Moreh Garrisons added another 2,400 saplings to the regional ecosystem. The Tengnoupal drive achieved remarkable success through the unified action of 250 personnel and 230 civilians. At Moreh, the campaign took a deeply inclusive and meaningful turn, as 489 serving personnel and families united with 200 local civilians, including local youth and individuals from the Adullam Rehabilitation Centre, to plant 1,200 saplings. Meanwhile, in Chandel district, a high-profile drive at Modi Garrison witnessed the plantation of 1,200 saplings with the active involvement of 480 personnel, 42 students and nine families, further elevated by the participation of the Deputy Commissioner and the Divisional Forest Officer.
Culminating this grand tapestry of ecological movements on 5 June 2026, major campaigns rolled out across Ukhrul, Kamjong and Churachandpur districts. At Somsai Garrison in Ukhrul, a major joint drive was organised with the Manipur Forest Department, Ukhrul Division, focusing on afforestation, spring-source conservation and groundwater recharge to sustain shared water resources. The event featured the planting of 500 specialized saplings, including Orange fruit, Silver Oak and ornamental trees, complemented by educational sessions on sustainable forestry. Simultaneously, a broader campaign across Somsai Garrison and all its regional bases resulted in the planting of approximately 2,000 indigenous saplings. In tandem, the unit located at Shangshak organised a large-scale afforestation drive covering Shangshak, Wanglee, Kasom Khullen, Gamnoum, Kasong, Sorde and Shakpao areas, where 387 participants, comprising 250 personnel and 137 civilians, planted 2,000 saplings. Paralleling this success, the unit stationed at Chassad carried out community-led plantation drives across the border villages of Chassad, Aishi, Lakhan, Ningchou, Aloyo and Kangpat Khullen in Kamjong district, where nearly 200 villagers, including school children and village leaders, joined forces with the personnel to plant 2,000 saplings of Neem, Mango, Guava and Jackfruit.
Adding significant volume to the finale, extensive plantation drives and environmental awareness activities were conducted across various locations in the Churachandpur district. Driven by a shared vision of ecological sustainability, large-scale plantation activities were synchronised at the Churachandpur Headquarters of the Force, Khuga, Veng, S Khollen, Lailoiphai, Leisan Tampak, Suangdai, H Khunou and other strategic border villages. A total of 2,370 saplings comprising Jack Pine, Mango, Palm, Red Cedar, Jamun and Queen of the Night were successfully planted to enhance the green canopy. The massive district campaign witnessed the robust participation of 730 personnel alongside approximately 60 local residents, beautifully showcasing strong civil-military cooperation. To ensure long-term impact, interaction-cum-awareness sessions on environmental protection, afforestation and sustainable resource management were conducted at Lailoiphai and Leisan Tampak, effectively sensitising the local population on the long-term benefits of ecosystem preservation and leaving a lasting culture of environmental responsibility across Manipur.
