A rally involving a large number of students in support of wildlife protection was jointly organised today by the Divisional Forest Office (DFO), Chandel and Oak Hill Christian Academy, Chandel at Japhou Bazar, Chandel.
Around 600 students took part in the rally, which started from the school gate of Oak Hill Christian Academy, Panchai, Chandel, and was flagged off by Dr. N. Munal Meitei, DFO, Chandel, along with the Founder Principal of the institution, H. T. Francis.
Carrying placards displaying slogans like “Save Wildlife” and “Protect Nature”, the students marched a distance of about 1.5 km towards Women’s Market, Japhou, where an awareness programme on wildlife conservation was also held. Two students, B.S. Khilhuwhring Anal and Khinda Huten, spoke on the significance of protecting wildlife during the occasion.
Dr. N. Munal Meitei, speaking at the programme, said that wildlife conservation was not only a duty of the forest officials but also of youths and students. He asserted that though wild animals continued to survive despite the growing threats, the number of their species had drastically declined due to human encroachment and hunting.
He said the rally was an important step in spreading awareness among the younger generation and, if such efforts continue, Chandel could become a leading example in wildlife protection not only in the district but also across Manipur.
Dr. Munal reminded that wildlife protection does not signify keeping the animals away but learning to coexist with them, as they are an important part of the ecosystem which is created by nature. He also warned that many species in Manipur, including the state animal Sangai deer, are now at a tipping point of extinction.