Photo Courtesy: ukhrultimes
Imphal: Manipur marked International Biodiversity Day on Friday at Modern College in Imphal East, centering on the theme of local action for global impact. The event brought together environmental experts and students to address the state's urgent environmental crisis, including pollution and the loss of native species.
Mohd Habibullah Khan, coordinator for the EIACP Hub Manipur, warned that human activity threatens a vast majority of global species. He pointed to the state's own ecological struggles, noting that the iconic Pengba fish is near extinction. Khan also cited the decline of local medicinal plants and the severe contamination of the Nambul and Imphal rivers, as well as the degradation of Loktak Lake. He reported that recent cleanup efforts at Ithai Barrage yielded over 40 truckloads of plastic bottles, a symbol of the waste contributing to health issues like dengue.
Faculty members at Modern College emphasized the need for immediate change. IQAC Coordinator N Bubhon Singh called on residents to prioritize local conservation to curb the rapid exploitation of natural resources. Principal N Romabati Devi reinforced this concern, describing declining air quality and river health as critical indicators of a deepening crisis.
The program, organized by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change alongside college staff and student groups, concluded with an appeal for collective efforts to protect Manipur's forests, wetlands, and rivers. Organizers stressed that grassroots environmental stewardship is essential to preserve the state's biological heritage for future generations.
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