Imphal: Highlighting the problems caused by deforestation, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh Saturday asked the forest officials to educate the people on forest-related laws and implement them.
N Biren, speaking at a function here to commemorate Manipur’s win of the India Today Group’s Most Improved Small State Overall award, stated that tree saplings will be planted in deforested hills and that a survey of forest areas will be conducted using helicopters and drones to spot and destroy poppy plantations. He asked the police and forest department not to spare anyone found guilty of destroying the forest by cultivating poppy plants.
He expressed his gratitude to the people of Manipur for their unwavering support for his government and praised the officials for their selflessness and dedication. The government is implementing numerous developmental projects for the welfare of the people in various sectors, like the construction of roads, promotion of tourist attraction sites, and reforestation of the deforested hills.
Manipur has ranked first among the small states in the country in the annual State of the States Survey 2022 carried out by India Today Group. Manipur won the title of “Most Improved Small State Overall” after its performance in eight out of 12 categories: economy, infrastructure, agriculture, health, governance, entrepreneurship, tourism, and cleanliness. This is the third consecutive year that the state has achieved the award.
Informing that the government aims to improve health care facilities in the state, the Chief Minister stated that the priority of the BJP government in its second stint is to provide super specialists in every hill district hospital. “Any serious case would be treated at these hospitals,” he added.
He mentioned that the Tele-ICU Hub has been inaugurated, and most of the district hospitals in the far-flung areas are equipped with it and can perform complicated operations as well as treat critically ill patients with the help of super specialists.
To promote sustainable economic growth and generate large-scale employment opportunities in the state, the Chief Minister launched Manipur Startup 3.0 during the event.
During the function, Biren also honoured the Chief Secretary, DGP, Heads of Departments, DCs, and SPs with citations and gifts.
