Awareness programme on biodiversity conservation held

Our Correspondent
CHANDEL, Sep 8 : Chandel Forest Division under the sponsorship of Manipur Biodiversity Board today organised an awareness programme on "Biodiversity Conservation" at Maha Union Higher Secondary School, Japhou, Chandel district.
It was attended by Naorem Munal Meitei, Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF), Chandel; Dr Mohd Mustaque Ahamad, Assistant Professor, Botany Department, United College Lambung Chandel and Y Surendro Singh, principal, Maha Union Higher Secondary School as presidium members.
Speaking on the occasion, N Munal Meitei stated that the awareness programme was conducted as part of the observance of International Day of Biodiversity on May 22 wherein one school each was selected across all 16 districts in the State under the aegis of the UN.
Highlighting the harmful effects of plastics, the ACF stated that it takes anywhere between 300/400 to 2000 years for plastics to decompose.
"As such, they cause an excessive amount of damage to the natural environment", said Munal while adding that plastic wastes have spread across oceans, mountains, wetlands & rivers affecting biodiversity and consequently leading to climate change & causing havoc in the form of inadequate & uneven rainfall, change in weather patterns and extinction of various flora & fauna endemic to a region.
He pointed out that many species of fishes have also disappeared from the State and due to the change in climate the amount of migratory birds that flock to the State has gone down considerably.
He also emphasized on the importance of preserving the biodiversity of Loktak Lake and called for people's collective effort in this regard.
N Munal Meitei further appealed to all NGOs, civil societies & student organisations to take the forefront in conserving biodiversity.