Imphal: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh today stated that the State Government is targeting to plant 75 lakh saplings across the State within the August month of this year. The initiative is being taken up as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to mark 75 years of Independence.
The Chief Minister was addressing the gathering at the observation function of World Environment Day held Sunday at Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Site, Heirangoithong Maibam Leikai, Imphal. The State Level observation was organized by the Directorate of Environment & Climate Change on the United Nations theme “Only One Earth”.
To ensure achievement of the plantation target, N. Biren stressed the need to allocate each college in the State, with the task to carry out plantation drives at one hill located in valley areas. He continued that tree saplings for the same would be provided by Horticulture and Forest Department while the expenses are to be borne by Forest Department. He also sought support and involvement of all sections of people, local clubs and different Riders’ Groups in the initiative to mitigate the degradation of environment and climate change.
The Chief Minister informed that tree plantation had been carried out at around 300 hectare of land under the Green Manipur Mission so far and the plantation drive is still going on. He informed that an amount of around Rs. 300 crore had been allocated for conservation of water bodies at Lamphelpat.
Speaking about the Sewage Treatment Plant where the World Environment Day was observed Sunday, he stated that household wastes from 73 drains, along the Nambul River, are brought to the Treatment Plant through pipelines. The treated water would be used for irrigation covering 43 hectares of adjacent agricultural land, he added.
He informed that rejuvenation of other rivers would also be started. He urged the public not to dump waste into the river, instead put the waste in a dustbin so that it could be collected from their residence by concerned authority. Lastly, he appealed to all the public to support and take their part in making the Green Manipur a reality.
Forest and Environment Minister Th. Biswajit, while delivering his speech, expressed happiness on seeing involvement of many women in the World Environment Day observation. He informed that the Forest and Environment Department is taking up steps to revive around 1384 number of spring sources and also to conserve around 1591 number of water bodies in the State. He further stressed on the plan of the Department to rejuvenate major polluted rivers of the State.
He further announced that the Government has made a plan to set up a Sewage Treatment Plant at Porompat for treatment of waste generated from Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, by sidelining the waste from flowing into Kongba River. This would help in preventing pollution of the river, he added.
Expressing concern on the temperature rise in the State owing to climate change, Shri Biswajit urged the public to start planting trees and take part in conserving nature.
MLA for Langthabal AC, Karam Shyam stated that the observation of World Environment Day under the theme “Only One Earth” had made the whole world a family, making every citizen take responsibility to save nature. Stressing the need for a collective responsibility in giving a true meaning to the World Environment Day, he appealed to everyone to plant a tree today.
Chief Secretary, Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary M.H. Khan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest A.K. Joshi, Vice Chancellor, Dhanamanjuri University Prof. N. Rajmuhon Singh, Director, Environment & Climate Change Dr. Y. Nabachandra Singh, Officials of Environment Department and members of Royal Riders Manipur attended the programme among others.
As a part of the programme, the Chief Minister led the other dignitaries in planting tree sapling at the STP site. World Environment Day Stickers and T-shirts and Caps were also released.
Brand Ambassador, CM’s Green Manipur Mission Miss Valentina Elangbam was also felicitated during the programme.
Later, N. Biren flagged off Royal Riders “Motorcycle Rally” to spread awareness on World Environment Day.
