Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 30 2025: Ahead of the World Wetland Day observance on February 2, a state level symposium (Colleges) on the topic "Protecting Wetland for Our Common Future" was organised by Directorate of Environment & Climate Change at the directorate in Porompat, on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, Directorate of Environment & Climate Change director Dr Tourangbam Brajakumar informed that the symposium aims to educate and raise awareness among students about the importance of protecting wetlands.
He said that no matter how much awareness the authorities provide, wetlands cannot be protected without the active involvement of the public, particularly students.
He stressed that the protection of wetlands can only be achieved by properly educating students.
Dr Brajakumar pointed out that urbanization-related encroachment and dumping of waste in wetlands are major causes of degradation.
According to the 2010 National Atlas report, Manipur had over 134 wetlands larger than 2.25 hectares, of which 97 have been digitized.
A brief document on the condition of 22 of these wetlands has been submitted to the government of India, and efforts are underway to officially notify seven of them.
Additionally, the development of Waithou Phumlen Pat, Zaimeng Lake, Yaralpat and Utra Pat is being pursued under the Integrated Management Plan of the Government of India, he disclosed.
Brajakumar also assured that the development of the 22 wetlands, whose documents have been submitted to the government of India, will soon be initiated.
He urged everyone to take action to protect the rapidly deteriorating wetlands in the state, as their destruction could contribute to climate change.
Moderated by Technical Committee State Wetlands Authority chairman Dr Kh Shamungou, the symposium had MU Zoology department head professor Th Binoy, MU Environmental Science head Dr Kh Raju and Imphal Review of Arts and Politics editor Pradip Phanjoubam as jury members.
The event was attended by 21 students, who were selected through a college-level symposium competition held on January 1 in various districts across the state.