Day: August 9, 2017

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | Aug 9

To safeguard the deteriorating habitat and environment of Shirui Kashong, the Shirui Kashong Area Forest Land Owners Conservancy (SKAFLOC) was formed on July 30.

The chairman SKAFLOC, Mayopam Shangh has stated that the body has been formed with a strong concern over the drastic ecological changes in the past 20 years, which has resulted in the extinction of valuable medicinal plants in the vicinity of Shirui Kashong. The survival of Manipur state flower Shirui Lily, state bird Nongyin and state tree Uningthou has now become endangered, he added.

During an interaction with the IFP correspondent, secretary of SKAFLOC, Khamshon Luirei has said that 40 local landowners in Shirui Kashong have come together to protect and preserve the forest area with due consent and knowledge of the Shirui village authority.

The members agreed to stop felling of trees, hunting of animals and check forest fire. They also have decided to prevent other resources from being extracted and promised to enhance the bio-diversity by taking up re-forestation programme in the days to come. The members of the body further appealed to the public to extend support in preserving Shirui Kashong.

Meanwhile, construction of PMGSY road from Shirui to Ngapum Zingsui and Sambu area has caused landslide at numerous places at the abode of Shirui Lily, and the source of water of Kokthi Kongrei and Namra Kong has also been disturbed. Shirui village is the main source of water supply for Ukhrul town and neighbouring villages.

However, due to rampant felling of trees and frequent landslide caused by the construction of PMGSY road at the foothills of Shirui Kashing has led to change in the level of water. Maiharam area which is a habitat and a home to Nongyin and Tragopan birds is also facing problems due to occurrence of frequent landslide.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 9

Health minister L. Jayantakumar asked the people to focus and give special provision to children to make a strong nation as they are the future of the society.

He was delivering the chief guest speech during the launching function of National Deworming Day to be started from tomorrow till August 17 at Ramlal Paul Higher Secondary School, Keishamthong today.

The minister said that the duties of a government is to make a strong and healthy nation so all the departments give special focus to children in different ways as they are the foundation of making a healthy nation.

Many beneficiaries schemes and package are made available for the children, and it started from the pregnancy of the mother, added Jayantakumar.

Jayantakumar said as a result of environment changes many new disease arise and it becomes very challenging for the health sector to fight against such disease so the minister asked the people give cooperation in fighting against such diseases by following the do and don’t given by the health department.

He said that many doctors and nurses do not want to be posted in hill districts but there are many people in hills who need their help so he asked the doctors and nurses not not hesitate to work in hills districts and appealed to work with dedication.

The president of the function, health parliamentary secretary, S. Subhaschandra appealed to all the parents to make sure to deworm their children to make them healthy.

The function was attended by health services director, K. Lokendro Singh, family welfare director, K. Rajo Singh, health services, additional director, H. Ranjit Singh and education (S) additional director R.K. Tennedy Singh as guests of honour.

IMPHAL | Aug 9

Deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh said it is time to tap renewable energy as alternate sources of energy at maximum level in view of growing concern about exhausting fossil fuel. He was speaking at the inaugural function of state level painting competition held today at Lamyanba Shanglen in Imphal.

The competition is organised as a part of the observance of World Bio-Fuel Day which is to be held tomorrow.

Deputy chief minister said, as the fossil fuel deposits in the world have been exhausting at a faster rate, now is the time to tap alternate sources of energy mostly renewable energy and bio-fuels to meet the growing demand of energy in the world. He said, bio-fuels have a major role and therefore, attention have to be drawn for all the concerns in the area. Although, there have been adequate sources of alternate energy in the State, tapping it still becomes a question to all.

Observing that, the state has maximum potential to generate renewable energy, deputy chief minister said, adequate solar energy can be generated to sustain its uses as an alternate source of energy. Wind energy can also be generated in large scale, he added.

Joykumar further said, younger generations should also be taught to know the potentials and possibilities to generate renewable energy as an alternate source of energy in the state in view of the exhausting non-renewable energy especially for fossil fuel.

Professor Ph. Ranjit Singh of Central Agricultural University, Imphal said, Manipur is one of the bio-diversity hotspots in the world and it has a huge potential to develop bio-fuels. Non-edible oil producing plants should be grown in the state so that bio-fuel can be developed as an alternate source of energy.

Ministry of petroleum and natural gas in association with National Yuva Cooperative Society (NYCS) Limited is organising a series of nationwide events to create awareness about non-fossil fuels (Green Fuels) and it aims to bring into focus the various initiatives that the ministry is undertaking in the country in the field of bio energy. A cycle rally will also be organised tomorrow in Imphal.

100 students in category A (VIII-X) and 11 students in category B (XI-XII) participated in the painting competition.

IMPHAL| Aug 9

The proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has informed that Sandam Bhogen (37) son of S. Bheigya from Sairemkhul Mayai Leikai was given punishment for raping a three and a half year old girl.

Bhogen was shot at yesterday near SAI complex at Takyel Khongban around 1.40 pm by UNLF, said a release signed by M. Sakhen, department of publicity.  Bhogen had raped the three and a half year old child, who was from the same locality where he resided, in the noon of December 3, 2013 when her family had gone to harvest paddies leaving the girl behind, it said. Bhogen committed the crime to the helpless child by taking advantage of the situation, it added

UNLF will continue to give stringent punishment against such criminals who are terrorising the women community by committing rape etc, it further said. The front has urged the people not to provide protection to theses criminals and requested to support the steps being taken by UNLF, it added.