Biren appeals to organise against wild fires

Imphal: Manipur chief minister N. Biren has appealed to the local clubs of villages inhabiting the foothills in the valley and those neighbouring hill districts to form youth committees to avoid wild fires in hills.

Highlighting recent wildfires, Biren said these committees in consultation with the district forest officers or local police should conduct foot patrolling in their respective areas and check the use of fire by picnickers which could start wildfires and destroy forest.

The chief minister was speaking at the inauguration and dedication of a series of projects at Andro, where he assured to bring more development there.

Following a series of inaugurations and dedication of projects including inauguration of a 33/11 Kv sub-station at Andro, dedication of Huikap High School, inauguration of 100 bedded girls’ hostel and school building at Andro High School, dedication of 100 bedded girls’ hostel at KGBV, Andro and upgradation of KGBV Andro NP, the chief minister also attended a formal function inaugurating the NEC funded Project Integrated Approach for Enhancing Ecosystem Services of Nungkot at Nungkot.

Biren asked officials of the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change to identify locations around hillocks and check feasibility of developing similar projects with assistance from the centre.

He appreciated the officials of Environment for their efforts and at the same time warned the people of global warming. He said now we are feeling the heat even in January and added that there will be no winter or water in another 10 years if we allow the present trend of deforestation.

Today we are witnessing bald hill slopes, he said.

He spoke strongly against deforestation and urged the locals against cutting down of trees and assured gas connection for household without gas connections.

The area has now two major tourist attractions, the Santhei Natural park and the project inaugurated today, he said and spoke about development of Kaina.

All communities in the State should have the freedom to grow and live, without any pressure from other communities, he said.

At the Kasturba Gandhi Bal Vidyalaya, Biren assured to look into the demands of the students.

Encouraging the young girls students of the school, he cited several references to highlight that woman has always been in the forefront.

The chief minister reminded the young students of the role played by women folk of the land in driving out the Burmese army from the land with the support and guidance of Heerachandra during the seven year devastation.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Power minister Thongam Biswajit said the inauguration of 33/11 kV sub-station will considerably improve power supply in the area. He said earlier power supply to Andro was fed from the 33/11 Kongba sub-station passing through thick vegetation resulting in poor quality and irregular power supply.

He said the new sub-station will supply power to Andro and its nearby villages like Huikap, Moirangpurel, Angtha, Phunal Maring, Karpur Sungba, Ngariyan Muslim khun, Nongmaijing, etc.

He continued that it will further help in bringing industries in the area.