Green activists honoured on Environment Day

OSR/DIPR
IMPHAL, Jun 5 : As in other places, World Environment Day 2026 was observed today at City Convention Centre at Konung Mamang with a call for climate consciousness.
Organised by the Department of Environment & Climate Change, Government of Manipur, the pro- gramme was held under the theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”
As part of the observance, the Green Entrepreneur Award 2026 was presented to Chairman and Managing Director of Ba-bina Group of Companies Dr Thangjam Dhabali Singh, while the Climate Communicator Award 2026 was conferred upon Dr Ksh Chitrabhanu Devi, a journalist and academic.
The Lifetime Achievement Environment Award 2026, on the other hand, was awarded to environmentalist Dr Khangembam Shamungou in recognition of his exemplary contribution towards environmental protection, climate action and sustainable development.
The Department also felicitated recipients of the Appreciation Awards, namely Ksh Surjit Singh, Dr Kamei Beeju, and Laishram Herojit alias Sintha Khuman, in recognition of their contributions towards environmental conservation.
Prizes were also distributed to the winners of the State-Level Symposium and State-Level Essay Competition organised in connection with the observance of World Environment Day 2026.
In a significant step towards strengthening waste management infrastructure in the State, a plastic bottle bank, baling machine and a material recovery facility were handed over during the programme.
Environment awareness stickers aimed at promoting the protection of mountains, wetlands and rivers were also released.
Addressing the function as chief guest, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam stated that nature is humanity’s greatest teacher and has provided everything necessary for the sustenance of life on Earth.
Saying that nature is currently under immense stress due to environmental degradation and climate change, he stressed the need for immediate and collective intervention to protect and restore the environment.
While symposiums, seminars and awareness programmes play an important role in sensitizing people, meaningful change can only be achieved when citizens take responsibility towards environmental conservation, he remarked.
He cautioned that failure to act responsibly could jeopardise the planet’s ability to sustain life in the future.
In this regard, Govindas informed that discussions are underway on the inclusion of environmental awareness as a subject at the primary education level.
The Minister added that he has requested the authorities concerned to submit a proposal to the Government for consideration.
He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under his Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), is taking a major role in ensuring the protection of ecological balance and promoting sustainable lifestyles.
Urging the public to actively participate in various initiatives undertaken by the Department of Environment and Climate Change to safeguard the planet, he emphasised that every individual should develop climate consciousness and contribute towards environmental conservation. Addressing the gathering, Principal Secretary (Forest, Environment & Climate Change) Arun Kumar Sinha expressed concern over increasing environmental pressures arising from climate change, unsustainable resource use and ecosystem degradation, which have manifested in erratic rainfall, extreme weather events, floods, droughts and biodiversity loss.
He informed that the Government of Manipur is addressing these challenges through integrated planning and policy interventions under the Manipur State Action Plan on Climate Change, with focus on water, health, agriculture and forest.
Arun Kumar highlighted various initiatives undertaken by the Department, including river rejuvenation projects, wetland conservation, climate-resilient spring shed management, solid waste management and afforestation programmes. Emphasising that environmental protection cannot be achieved by the Government alone, he called upon educational institutions, researchers, community organisations, the private sector and citizens to actively participate in conservation efforts and adopt sustainable practices for a cleaner, greener and climate-resilient Manipur.
Director of Environment & Climate Change Dr T Brajakumar Singh, on the other  hand, expressed concern over the rising global temperatures, rising sea level and the increasing impacts of climate change, including heat waves and extreme weather events.
Stressing the urgency of environmental conservation and climate action, he called upon all sections of society to work collectively towards restoring ecosystems and safeguarding the future of coming generations.
The programme was attended by MLA Karam Shyam; MLA  Sapam Kunjakeswor Singh; Joint Director of Environment & Climate Change Ph Vivekananda Sharma; officials and staff of the Department of Environment & Climate Change and students among others.