Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 13 2009:
A State level committee would be set up to deal with the problem of climate change and to maintain ecological balance in Manipur, Forest and Environment Minister Th Debendra informed the State Assembly today.
In his response to a motion put forward by MLA O Joy to initiate discussion on prevailing climatic condition in Manipur in public interest, the Forest and Environment Minister observed that rise in the temperature of the earth has come to pose a serious threat on the survival of not only of the human being but also other living creatures and discussions are doing the round now on whether human being would be able to survive or not by 2050 .
To confront the possible fallouts of climate change in Manipur as a result of disturbance in ecological balance, a State level committee would be set up along with intensifying tree plantation drive and preservation of the existing wetlands, the Minister said, while urging everyone to plant trees and joint hands in combating global warming.
He also assured the House members that efforts would be taken up to preserve the remaining 19 wetlands in the State and for the first phase of work on development of Lamphelpat, Waithoupat and Yaralpat, a sum of Rs 1 crores has been set aside.
Putting up the motion, O Joy noted that out of 155 wetlands in Manipur, only 19 are remaining today and if these remaining wetlands are not protected that the ecological balance in Manipur would be affected seriously leading to rise in temperature.
Joy demanded to what policy the State Government or plan to take up to fight against climate change in Manipur as a consequence of disturbance in ecological balance.