Imphal: Chandel hosted the 72nd Wildlife Week today. Officials gathered at Maha Union Higher Secondary School to promote forest and animal protection under the theme Wildlife Conservation: Protecting Our Natural Heritage. The event drew 100 students from eight different local schools.
These students competed in drawing and essay contests to mark the occasion. The program featured Divisional Forest Officer Dr. N. Munal Meitei as the chief guest alongside Principal K.L. Warson Anal. Range Forest Officer Ningthoujam Deepa also attended the proceedings.
A wildlife quiz followed at the DC Complex Multipurpose Hall, involving teams from five schools. Organizers handed out 100 saplings and flowering plants to the participants. Dr. Munal highlighted the link between forests and human survival during his address. He warned the crowd against habitat destruction and the killing of wild animals. "Forests cover around 76.40 per cent of Manipur’s geographical area, while Chandel has about 1,823.64 sq km of forest cover out of its 2,100 sq km geographical area," he noted.
Forest Survey of India data shows a troubling trend. Chandel lost roughly 230 sq km of forest cover between 2010 and 2025. Dr. Munal closed the day with a firm plea. He urged the public to protect natural resources for the sake of future generations.
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