IMPHAL, June 5: World Environment Day was observed by the Directorate of Environment, Government of Manipur under the theme of Small Island Developing State (SIDS) in the Broader Context of Climate Change on Thursday at Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC) Auditorium, Konung Mamang.
As part of the observation, Additional Chief Secretary (Forest and Environment) Niklilesh Jha flagged off the “Run for Environment” campaign from the gate of MFDC in which 15 people participated. The campaign reaches Ukhrul today after which they will go to Bishnupur district for spreading the massage about environment and the team will return to Imphal on June 7.
As a part of the observing function, LAI-HUI cultural troupe presented a group song with Pena recitals.
While giving the key note address, Joint Director Dr Y Nabachandra Singh of the Directorate of Environment said: “From 1972, the United Nations General Assembly has organised the World Environment Day for spreading awareness worldwide about the environment.”
He asserted that sea levels have risen due to the destruction of the environment and the day is an excellent opportunity to highlight this and unite on the issue, adding that now is the time to take action and to do sustainable work for environment.
Meanwhile, in his speech as a guest of honour, Dr H Nandiram Sharma stated that the purpose of the observation is to live longer on earth.
Asserting that icebergs in the North Pole and South Pole were melting and sea levels have risen 23 cm from the levels in 1945 due to global warming, he said that people living in large land masses have created problems for Islands.
Addl. Chief Secretary Nikhiklesh Jha said that World Environment day is observed worldwide for its importance to humans being and for spreading awareness.
“This year the theme is mainly on Islands and climate change from global warming which has affected around 50 small islands around the world. They are extremely vulnerable to rising sea level which is slowly rising and will soon submerge the islands.”
He said that the global warming resulted because of the increase in carbon dioxide emissions and use of coal and petroleum products, adding that citizens should start taking individual steps and then nations should follow suit and a collective worldwide effort will only be able to save the planet.