Churachandpur Forest Division organised a programme on “Alternative Livelihood Interventions & AgroForestry Support Targeting Poppy-Affected Villages” at the Division Office, Churachandpur, on Tuesday, with an aim to promote sustainable livelihood opportunities and reduce dependency on poppy cultivation.
The programme was attended by Arun R.S., IFS, Conservator of Forests, Southern Circle, and Shri Abhijith K.V., IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Churachandpur, along with officials, frontline staff, village representatives, and participants from various poppy-affected villages of the district.
As part of the initiative, livelihood and agroforestry support items were distributed to beneficiaries from villages including G. Monglian, Suangkuang, Haopi Mollen, T. Joujang, and Thinghangjang along with fringe villages of Dampi Reserve Forest under Churachandpur District.
The distributed items included chicks with feeds, ducklings with feeds, ginger, groundnuts, potatoes, fruit-bearing saplings, and tall hybrid mango seedlings aimed at promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities and reducing dependency on poppy cultivation.
Speaking on the occasion, Arun R.S., IFS, Conservator of Forests, Southern Circle, encouraged efforts to make these villages model villages for the state and beyond. He also highlighted the importance of community participation in forest conservation and encouraged villagers to adopt sustainable and environment-friendly livelihood practices.
Abhijith K.V., IFS, reiterated the department’s commitment towards supporting vulnerable communities through meaningful livelihood interventions and agroforestry initiatives.
After the programme, Arun R.S., IFS, Conservator of Forests, Southern Circle, visited Sagang Range and inspected the Nursery. He also attended a similar function organised for the fringe villages of Dampi Reserve Forest and interacted with the villagers regarding livelihood support and forest conservation initiatives.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
