Jungle to another jungle
an interactive programme on urban biodiversity
and
FBM Photo Exhibition and Contest
North East Centre for Environmental Education and Research (NECEER), Imphal in collaboration with For a Better Manipur (FBM), Marangmei Educational Trust (ME Trust) and Green Biology Research Centre organized an interactive programme on urban biodiversity entitled “Jungle to another jungle” on 4th March 2012 at the National Gandhi Museum, Rajghat, Delhi. The programme highlighted the importance of urban biodiversity in today’s world. Two documentary films by renowned environmental film maker Rajukmar Robindro were screened during the first half of the event.
FLY ASH SNOW, a documentary on environment and livelihood crisis highlighted the problems of deforestation and challenges faced by the villagers in the hill areas of Manipur. The documentary mainly centres on the hill district of Ukhrul, Manipur. 5th CMS Vatavaran – Environment and Wildlife Film Festival 2009 nominated film “Loktak: the Lake in Peril” highlights the problems faced by the largest fresh water lake in Northeast India, the Loktak Lake. Both the films were screened to educate and create awareness about the changing environment and for the conservation of fragile ecosystems.
Speaking on the occasion, Khuraijam Jibankumar Singh, Founder and Managing Trustee of NECEER, Imphal spoke on need of conserving Urban Biodiversity. He gave several case studies where due to urbanization and habitat destruction, several incidents have occurred in the last two-three years where rare and endangered species like Wild Cats and Elephants got killed due to human-wildlife conflicts. He cautioned about the plantation of alien species in the urban green spaces which may led to disappearance of indigenous species. He also spoke on the biodiversity richness of Northeastern states especially where than 500 species of orchids are found.
He also mentioned about the need for more extensive campaigns and awareness programme to save important fragile ecosystems like Keibul Lamjao National Park, the world’s only floating national park and Loktak Lake. Participants had a good discussion on the need of involving policy makers and environmentalist in the decision making of selecting tree species in the town planning programme of cities and towns across the country.
As a part of the event, a quiz based on the urban biodiversity was organized by Mohd Sajid Idrisi, Officer in-Charge, CEC, Research and Development Division, NECEER inorder to make the participant aware about the species living in and around the urban green spaces.
North East Centre for Environmental Education and Research (NECEER), Imphal and its partner organization, For a Better Manipur (FBM) in collaboration with Marangmei Educational Trust (ME Trust) also organized 1st FBM Photo Exhibition cum Contest at the venue. Participants and tourists got the chance to see the more than 50 photographs of wildlife, beautiful landscapes of the country and traditional dance forms of Manipur by more than 15 photographers during the exhibition.