Awareness camp prepares green Manipur mission implementation in Kamjong

A one day awareness programme was held at Kamjong district headquarters on Tuesday, to facilitate smooth implementation of the ambitious ‘Chief Minister’s Green Manipur Mission’, an initiative of CM Biren Singh to spur protection and conservation of the state’s forests.

“This green Manipur mission was introduced and launched by CM Biren in 2019 and it is going to be implemented at all villages across Kamjong district very soon,” Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) SW Suisa said, giving a keynote address during the awareness programme held Kamjong community hall.

He said that the awareness programme was intended to make the villagers aware and understand the importance and objective of the mission so as to prepare for implementation of the mission.

Highlighting about the mission’s objectives, Suisa said that it aimed at protecting the green cover and its ecosystem, while ensuring food security and means of Iivelihood of the villagers.

He informed that the mission would be implemented by the forest department by teaming up with Agriculture and Horticulture departments. “The focus is to adopt a trilateral model involving the three departments so that agri-horti-forestry form of farming could be taken up on community lands, farm lands and wastelands, without destroying forests,” he explained.

“The mission also aims to involve village authorities in the implementation to the villagers develop a sense of ownership,” the forest officer said, adding that tree saplings for the plantation programme under the mission would be provided by the forest department.

As part of the awareness programme, Somiphang Zimik, MSc(Agri), AICRP-FC/DOR, CAU, Imphal, delivered a lecture highlighting about the need for taking up sustainable perma-culture farming in the villages.

He said that the term ‘permaculture’ is formed by blending two words, namely permanent and agriculture. “This approach refers to farming that can be sustained indefinitely or in a long-term manner. It is becoming popular among farmers in India who want to grow their crops for an endless supply,” Somiphang Zimik said.

He said that fodder crop was one such item suitable for permaculture and the same practice could also be emulated by local villagers, considering the benefits to both the growers and the environment.

Attending as resource persons, retired Horticulture officer Ngaranpam Vashum and retired RFO MC Ngachonmi also spoke on the topics of “Integrated Farming in hill areas” and “Pursuit of Ecological Development” respectively.

Around 50 persons including village headmen and public leaders from Kamjong district headquarters and villages attended the day-long event.