Paolienlal Haokip, MLA of Saikot Assembly Constituency in Churachandpur, Manipur, stressed the importance of preserving natural greenery while also encouraging tree plantation as a positive step towards environmental conservation.
Paolienlal was speaking to the media during a tree plantation drive in the Twikoul area of Churachandpur district, organised by the Churachandpur Forest Division and the Twikoul Youth Union as part of World Environment Day.
The BJP MLA said, “We need to educate ourselves to conserve our forests. A large portion of our forests has been degraded, and extensive deforestation has taken place over the years, resulting in hotter summers and unpredictable rainfall patterns, which seem to have gone unnoticed by many people.”
Paolienlal said that everyone has a role to play in conserving forests so that the land can be restored to its former state of a cool climate and timely rainfall, which in turn facilitates timely harvests and generates sustainable livelihoods for the people.
“Let us plant trees and avoid cutting them down unnecessarily. Conservation is the key, even more than plantation,” the BJP MLA stated.
He further said that the region is blessed with rich natural vegetation and that, if properly conserved, it can thrive without the need for excessive plantation efforts.
World Environment Day was celebrated under the theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”, through plantation drives and awareness activities conducted at more than 50 locations across the district.
The main divisional-level function was held at Siden Village and was jointly organised by the Churachandpur Forest Division and the Twikoul Area Youth Union (16 Villages). The programme was attended by Paolienlal Haokip, MLA, Saikot A/C; Abhijith K.V., IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Churachandpur; and Seiminthang Lenthang, MCS, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Churachandpur.
According to forest officials, key activities included ceremonial plantation, the launch of Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 3.0, roadside plantation connecting villages within the Twikoul area, and riverbank plantation at Saihenjang.
Similar plantation drives were carried out in schools, colleges, churches, villages, NGOs, orphanages, and other institutions, with active participation from Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF, PHED, PWD, and other line departments.
A total of 32,800 saplings comprising flowering, fruit-bearing, timber, and ornamental species were planted across more than 50 villages and locations in the district. The plantation drive will continue in the coming days as part of the Division’s ongoing efforts towards environmental conservation and climate resilience.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
