Shyamkumar launches agar plantation at Island, Senapati

Senapati, August 21, 2018 (DIPR): Forest and Environment Minister Shri Thounaojam Shyamkumar today launched the agar plantation program at the Island, Senapati district organised by the Thoubal Forest Division. The program was organised as a part of the ongoing mass agar plantation drive initiated by the Forest Department.

Interacting with the villagers including the Forest Department officials, Minister Shyamkumar said the agar plantation will help the villagers to earn income and also help in protecting the environment of the State. Stating that around 3,300 agar trees will be planted in the surroundings of Island area, he advised the villagers to wholeheartedly nurture the trees till its maturity.

Replying to queries of the villagers, he said the villagers can earn upto Rs 30,000 – Rs 1lakh per tree within a span of 7-8 years and the matured trees will help them to earn more income. He said the mass agar plantation will help in providing sustainable economic development in the State.

It may be mentioned that the agar plantation was launched by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh at Langol Reserved Forest, Luwangshangbam on June 24, 2018. The plantation is an initiative of the Government to provide alternative livelihood to the villagers in the State.

The plantation drive is carried out in the State following MoU signed with the Government of India and Government of Laos during the last year’s Manipur Sangai Festival. Government of Laos will provide maintenance fund, necessary treatments for the trees and a market place for the agar trees planted in the State.

Kereilhouvi Angami, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF), officials of Thoubal Forest Division and locals of the area attended the agar plantation program.