World Environment Day 2025 observed with Mass Tree Plantation at Cheiraoching

The World Environment Day 2025 was observed with fervour and commitment at Cheiraoching, Thangmeiband, in Imphal West district. The event was jointly organised by the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO), the Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF), and the Thangmeiband United Club (TUC), under the theme “Ending Global Plastic Pollution.”
The programme was attended by AMUCO Vice-President Dr. Norendro Thokchom, Secretary General Pratap Leishangthem, MSF President Hijam Roshan, MSF General Secretary Sundar Khuman, and several hundred volunteers. As part of the observance, around 300 tree saplings were planted across the foothills of Cheiraoching, with a target of planting over 2,000 saplings at the hilltop in the coming days.
MSF President Hijam Roshan appealed to the public to take responsibility for nurturing the saplings, stressing that tree planting should not be symbolic but a sustained commitment. He underlined the role of trees in ecological balance and criticised the indiscriminate felling of trees for commercial interests.
Referring to the recent flash floods across Manipur, Roshan linked the disaster to plastic pollution, encroachment on riverbanks, and poor drainage management. He expressed concern over the ineffective enforcement of the Manipur Plastic Policy Act 2022 and questioned the relevance of district-level task forces formed under the policy.
Roshan urged the government to act decisively and called on the public to reduce single-use plastic consumption and adopt sustainable practices.
The joint initiative highlighted the potential of community-driven efforts to address pressing environmental challenges and promote long-term ecological stewardship.