Farm economy

IMPHAL, May 15: A one-day workshop on ‘Rejuvenation of Farm Economy and Environment through Afforestation’ was held today at their Lamphelpat office.
UCM consultant H Ibotombi Khuman, president Joychandra Konthoujam, consultant Khomdram Ratan and Manipur University Prof Dr Ksh Lal Bihari attended the workshop as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.
Giving key-note address of the workshop, UCM general secretary Ng Deva Meitei said that Manipur was once self sufficient not only in food grains but also in clothing requirements.
But today, the economy of Manipur has fallen into a pathetic state and the environment has deteriorated alarmingly, he said.
He asserted that extensive afforestation is the need of the hour in order to check and reverse the ever degrading environment.
H Ibotombi Khuman remarked that flash floods have become a regular phenomenon in the State due to rampant deforestation activities in the hill areas, particularly catchment areas.
He then appealed to all the people to plant trees in both the hill areas and the valley in order to conserve environment and generate income at the same time.      
Joychandra Konthoujam  said that UCM has been pro-active not only with regard to socio-political issues but also environmental issues.
Pointing out that 90 per cent of the State’s territory is made up by hills, Joychandra said that the workshop was organised to promote conservation of environment and at the same time generate income by planting trees in the hill areas.
He said that 30 selected farmers would be given necessary inputs to plant bamboo, betel-nuts, litchi and cashew-nuts at suitable places.
It is high time to study why Manipur is dependent on imported goods in every sector.
Large scale deforestation activities carried out in different hill ranges in order to make space for poppy plantation is a matter of grievous concern, said the UCM president.  
Chemicals/pesticides used in poppy plantation affect all the people including valley dwellers as they are washed down by rivers.
In tandem with the Government’s War on Drugs, all the people need to share due responsibility toward eradication of the drug menace, he said.
Prof Lal Bihari said that it the duty of mankind to conserve environment in the face of the global climate change.
Plantation of bamboos in addition to different varieties of trees can augment the State’s income apart from conserving environment, Prof Lal Bihari said.
Elucidating on the utilities of bamboo, he said that furniture items and even clothes/garments are now made of bamboo.