MLA urges people of Ukhrul to participate in mass tree plantation drive to end water crisis

Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, Jul 12: MLA Alfred Arthur Kanngam urged the people of Ukhrul town to participate in the public movement for mass tree plantation programme to end the water crisis of the district.
Alfred made this statement while speaking at the inaugural programme for Ukhrul town sanitation movement cum tree plantation programme held today at town hall, Phungreitang Ukhrul.
MLA dwelt on resolving the impending water crisis of the district by regenerating and reviving the forest environment through integrated effort.
He said that Ukhrul district receives the highest rainfall in the state, but the people of Ukhrul are reeling under acute water shortage which is a serious concern for all.
The extensive deforestation for financial gains in the last decade has severely impacted the whole ecosystem resulting in existential threat of the humans, he added and said that the man-made problem have to be resolved through continual participation in forest preservation and revive the depleted forest through plantation.
He said that forest can grow and survive without human whereas human being cannot survive without forest, it has to be remembered and the observed by all.
The MLA also cautioned on fast degrading environment, that has caused climatic changes in the region while adding that afforestation could only solve the impeding water crisis of the district.
On sanitation, Alfred advised the students to develop good habit from the beginning and avoid littering of waste by ensuring it was dumped in a proper place adding that students should develop passion for maintaining clean environment for healthy life. MLA also mentioned that the students should not only confine to text book studies but also plant trees with the commitment that they grow to its full potential.
Meanwhile, Alex Khayi, president of Principal Association of Recognised Schools (PARS), Ukhrul expounded on the basic concept of sanitation while the DFO Ukhrul, Shanngam Shaliwo assured to support in the plantation movement in order to restore the degraded environment and improvements of district sanitation.
The MLA launched the movement of tree plantation and sanitation by planting tree saplings in front of the women market at Phungreitang, Ukhrul in the presence of Ukhrul town CSOs leaders. Tree guard were also provided for protection.
According to the president of AHTA Chonmi Raleng, every families in Ukhrul town should plant 3-4 tree saplings and must take responsibility of nurturing the plants.
The weeklong plantation movement was participated by Students from different schools of Ukhrul town under PARS and the townfolks from 27 localities. The programme was organised by All Hunphun Tangs Association (AHTA) sponsored by local MLA Alfred Arthur Kanngam.