One day awareness program on environment and oil Palm Plantation

IT News
Imphal, July 09:
 
Environment Conservation Network (ECO Network) in support with the Village Development Committee, Women’s Welfare Association and Northern Development Youth Club had organized a one day awareness campaign on Environment and Oil Palm Plantation at Pukhao Terapur Multipurpose Hall yesterday.
The program aimed to create an awareness on the impact of oil palm plantation and its impact on the environment. The awareness was part of the ongoing campaign against the Oil Palm Plantation in Manipur which has been proposed by the government of Manipur and other states in the North Eastern Region.
Rebati Raman, Convenor Environment Conservation Network and Jiten Yumnam, Secretary, Centre for Research and Advocacy Manipur have spoken as resource person. Rebati stated that there were many initiatives taken up by the government such as sugar mill, sewage projects, lemon grass plantation, etc. However, it failed to fulfilled its objectives and remained defunct till date after investing crores of amount which could have been invested for the human resource program.
On the other hand Jiten Yumnam also stated that the Oil Palm plantation is a monocrop and will give a negative impact to environment which has been protected by the indigenous peoples for centuries. He drew the example of the defunct Dolaithabi Barrage which was commissioned before its completion and assured to give benefits to the peoples of Pukhao and the nearby villages in terms of irrigation and others. Till date the assured benefits remained in the paper without fulfilling the wishes of the people.
During the meeting, the participants who are the representatives of the Local Meira Paibi, Youth Cuba and elders of the village expressed dissatisfaction against the government and expressed to stop the Oil Palm Plantation in Manipur.