Committee to protect Manipur’s Mount Koubru launched

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, November 26, 2018: With the objective to preserve Mount Koubru of Manipur and its ranges “Committee on Protection and Preservation of Mount Koubru” was launched in a function held at Saparmeina in Kangpokpi district.

The committee says in consultation with all stake holders including the people of Koubru area it will work and find together the ways and means as how to bring back the original Mount Koubru and of its natural beauties.

In order to protect and preserve Koubru and its ranges the committee suggests the people to love God gifted nature, value the products and enjoy the beauties; to abstain from any activities that can harm or damage the natural gift of the mountain; hunters should refrain from hunting; forest product gatherers should abstain way from cutting down trees and uprooting of any peculiar plants such as orchids.

It suggests that farmers should not cultivate poppy and similar plants which results to large chunk of deforestation, soil erosion, water contamination and other natural disaster.

It says the state government should upgrade the trekking road leading to Koubru peak by setting up rest houses and tourist homes to transform it to tourist destiny for the entire north east state.

The committee appealed to hold Mount Koubru festival like Manipur Sangai Festival and other tourism festival.

Social welfare and cooperation minister Nemcha Kipgen said the Koubru range has played a very important socio-cultural and economic role.

“The range has been providing us with pure and ample air, water and so many forest products. It has played its role significantly whereas we on our part have been continuously destructing it. It’s high time we realise our mistakes and move towards protecting our environment and its resources for future generation. Lets all realise that the essence of a healthy region in its natural environment. Forest is our life, save Koubru,” said the minister.

Koubru is the highest historic peak in Manipur. Its foot is about 24 kms away from Imphal

Tongmang Haokip, chief of Saitu village said, “In the early 1950s and 60s I used to roam the jungle and forest beneath the Koubru peak I could see and feel the freshness and virginity of the forest. The richness of the Koubru range in flora and fauna was amazing. This tropical rain forest was home to several species of birds, and animals. The rhythmic sound of the Horn Bills, the sound of the barking deer in the night, the roar of the Bengal tiger, the grunting of black bears and wild boars showed their habitat presence. But today, I find the whole Koubru side barren and bare”.

The need for protection of Mount Koubru and its flora and fauna are imperative need today, he added.