IMPHAL, January 8 (Newmai News Network): Union Forest Minister Prakash Javedkar here today urged upon all farmers, particularly in Manipur’s hill districts, to put a stop to practice of Jhum cultivation which affects the environment.
Javedkar arrived in the capital Imphal on a two-day visit to the State. He was accorded a warm welcome by Manipur BJP president Thounaojam Chaoba Singh, general secretary M Ashinikumar and the party’s two MLAs at the Imphal Airport.
From the airport, he went straight to the Manipur BJP office where he discussed the current affairs of the State with party leaders including president Chaoba. The Union Minister also called on Manipur Governor V Shanmuganathan at the Raj Bhavan.
At the Manipur Forest Department, Sanjenthong, the Union Forest Minister interacted with farmers from different hill districts of Manipur.
The visiting Union Minister discouraged the farmers from the hills from shifting cultivation and urged them to find other practical modes of farming. Javedkar said farmers in the state should be aware of the fact that Jhum farming has serious impacts on the environment.
Central Forest Ministry’s Additional Director M Anilkumar, Manipur Forest Minister Th Debendra Singh and other top officials were present during the interaction.
Javedkar inspected Ima Keithel (women market) in Khwairamband Keithel, which was damaged by the January 4 earthquake. The Luxmi Market and the New Market in the iconic Ima Keithel were recently declared ‘unsafe’ by IIT Roorkee saying the buildings needed repairing.
During the visit to the market exclusively run by women, Javedkar talked to women vendors now observing an indefinite protest against the Manipur government over the destruction caused to the market due to the tremor. They have demanded that new buildings be constructed for the Ima Keithel.
The Union Forest Minister told journalists on the sidelines of the visit he was surprised to see that the market which was built only five years back was damaged in the quake.
He said private buildings which are 60 years old were untouched during the natural disaster. He said he had given the damage report to the concerned ministry.
Later in the afternoon, Javedkar visited the sacred Kangla Fort in the heart of Imphal city. He had a brief look at the Kangla Sha (dragon statue) located inside the fort where he planted saplings.