IT News
Imphal, June 5,
A Cherry Blossom Avenue was launched at Luwangsangbam, Manipur this morning, by Nongthombam Biren Singh, Chief Minister on the occasion of World Environment Day . While introducing the concept of Cherry Blossom Avenues, Prof Dinabandhu Sahoo, Director, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), a National Institute of Department of Biotechnology, explained that the Cherry Blossom generates an economic impact of $400 million in Washington DC, USA alone, every year.
Sahoo who pioneered the concept of Cherry Blossom Festival in India, said that this initiative of IBSD, will go a long way to bring Manipur on the global tourist map. This initiative when properly marketed with the scenic beauty of the State will drive a huge number of tourists who are interested in eco-tourism and will bring about sustainable development of the State, said Sahoo.
Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has said that the State Government is planning to impose ban on use of plastics in the State soon.
The Chief Minister said that a notice to instruct the shopkeepers to replace plastics with alternative materials within three months would be issued by the Government soon. It is a part of Government’s efforts towards imposing a complete ban on use and sale of plastics in the State, he added.
N. Biren Singh, lauded this initiative of IBSD and said that such plantations will be be an important programme of his desire to develop a Green Manipur through increased plantations, which will integrate with his Government’s flagship developmental programmes of ‘Go to the Hills’ and ‘Go to the Villages’.
Expressing serious concern over ever increasing rate of health hazards caused by pollution and environmental degradation, N. Biren assured that youth clubs and other voluntary organisations which are willing to take up waste management activities in their respective localities would be provided financial assistance by the Government.
Informing that some private entrepreneurs had started coming forward with the idea of producing materials which can replace plastic items, the Chief Minister observed that campaign against pollution and environment protection would be successful only when people extend collective co-operation to the Government.
He also informed the gathering that a 7-km long stretch of Yangoi Maril chocked with a huge volume of plastic materials accumulated in the last 30-40 years had been cleansed recently.
Urging the All Manipur DPC Completed Candidates of Police Constable (Male – 2013) to call off their ongoing shut-down agitation, the Chief Minister contended that the Government is trying to declare the results of the police Constable recruitment examination held in 2013 as soon as possible.
He added that the Government is taking time to study and sort out all the legal matters so that no unnecessary hassle is encountered later on.
Speaking at the occasion, Public Health Engineering Minister L. Dikho said that Manipur is a wonderful creation of the God having salubrious climate, beautiful lake, river, valley and hills. As such, it is the responsibility of the people of this land to protect this beauty, he added.
Agriculture Minister V. Hangkhanlian said that Manipur used to have a calm and good climate in the past. However, there is considerable increase in temperature in the past few decades that it is now hard to sit inside the rooms without air conditioners, he said. As such, people of the State should take a pledge to protect environment, the Minister opined.
Imphal East Zilla Parishad Adhyaksha Smt. P. Bimola Devi, Advisor to Chief Minister Shri Rajat Sethi, Chief Secretary Dr. J. Suresh Babu and Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) Director Dr. Dinabandhu Sahoo also attended the function as dignitaries.
The function was organised by IBSD to coincide with the World Environment Day. The Chief Minister unveiled a plaque to mark launching of a Cherry Blossom Avenue. He along with the dignitaries also planted Cherry Blossom saplings.
