Imphal, April 22: The Koubru peak which was once clad in snow most of the seasons a few years back is no longer snow covered as a result of global warming, said HOD of Chemistry Department, DM College of Sciences G Tomba while addressing Earth Day 2006 at State Guest House, Sanjenthong today.

The observation organised by the Environment and Ecology Wing of Manipur Government was held under this year's theme "Global Warmingit is not cool".

Elucidating on the origin and importance of the worldwide observation of Earth Day, G Tomba informed that the worldwide observation of this day began from 1970.Following the realisation of the adverse effects of human manipulation on global environment because of the destruction of ecology and environment using chemical weapons by the United States in Vietnam during the Vietnam War and various other destructive human manipulation of nature in several parts of the globe as was detailed by an American writer Carlson in his book 'Silent Spring' and pointed out by the photographs of Earth taken from Moon by Neil Armstrong on July 16, 1969, Earth Day was observed for the first time in 1970 in the USA.

However during the cold war period between the USA and the erstwhile USSR, environmental issues were totally sidestepped by the Ronald administration as the consideration for economic development and military preparedness were overriding then.

In addition to the loss of snow covered peaks of Koubru Hills, the everdecreasing annual rainfall and phenomenal rising of mercury level are some of other vivid examples of global warming manifested at the local level, remarked Tomba.

Quoting environmental experts, he noted that flooding of dry regions like Bhuj, Kutch and Thar etc last with the record annual rainfall of 95.4 cm was a direct consequence of global warming.

Massive evaporation of glacier belts of the Himalayas and the death of coral reefs at the Gulf of Manar between India and Sri Lanka are all syndromes of global warming, asserted Tomba.

By the sideline of the observation, a national environment awareness campaign under the theme 'Solid Waste Management' was kicked off by Minister of Forest and Environment Ngamthang Haokip.

Speaking on the occasion, Haokip called upon the NGOs and students involved in the national environment awareness campaign to take up the campaign at the designated sites with honesty and determination.

Out of 1122 NGOs applied for the campaign sponsored by Union Ministry, 480 NGOs were selected to carry out the campaign, mentioned Ngamthang Haokip.

Besides inaugurating a tree plantation drive at Kangla, he also handed over the sanction letters to the NGOs.

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