IMPHAL, December 9: The Human Rights Protection Group in association with the department of Environment, Govt of Manipur organised a daylong seminar on “Human Environment in Manipur” at Hotel Imphal here today.
Speaking as one of the invitees, retd Col L Lokendra said every year the education ministry has been churning out graduates and post graduates in large numbers, however there is no avenue in the state to absorb them.
The Manipur State Road Transport Cooperation which once used to provide employment to many youths has been devoured bit by bit by the rich of the state, he continued.
Continuing his speech, he said the 60 MLAs of the state should discuss and pass a legislation to preserve the land of the state by prohibiting outsiders from purchasing land here.
He said as the Kukis and the Nagas have their own representatives to make their demands, the meiteis should proposed UNLF chairman RK Meghen as their representative.
Speaking as chief guest, retd Chief Justice Guwahati High Court RK Manisana Singh said, “Human environment is of recent origin; however the issue of protection and development of human environment is a growing issue”.
Establishment of industry is necessary however there should be a balance, he continued.
The retd Chief Justice said, “The state is full of pollution. Education will help in reducing pollution”.
The seminar was presided over by president of Human Rights Protection Group, Sorokhaibam Modhu Singh.
Former Member of Manipur Human Rights Commission RK Rajendro Singh, Principal of RK SD Vidyalaya, Haorokcham Nobinchand and Junior Scientific Officer, Dept of Environment Thinbaijam Bhogen Singh attended as resource persons.
During the working session of the seminar, RK Rajendro presented his paper on the topic “Need for environmental protection and ecological task force in Manipur”, Haorokcham Nobinchand spoke on “Global warming and the role of the students in Manipur”, and Thinbaijam Bhogen spoke on the topic “Climate change and human ethics”.
At the end of the session, it was resolved to maintain and preserve water bodies, store and preserve rain water, the construction of factories and industries that affect environment and ecology should be properly checked, and those that already possessed licence should be checked from time to time, measures to dispose hospital waste and biochemistry waste in proper place should be taken up and followed.
It was also resolved that students should be educated on human environment by adding the topic in their school syllabus and ecological task force should be set up in order to bring about a green Manipur, to control deforestation and jhum cultivation so as to protect ecology and environment.