Imphal, December 10: At the end of the three-day workshop cum seminar on traditional salt making of Manipur at Ningel village today, various recommendations have been adopted for the protection and preservation of the natural salt springs at Ningel.

Ningel village in Thoubal district is known for manufacturing natural salt, commonly called Meitei Thum.

The other recommendations adopted for the authorities of Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi for necessary actions include remodelling of the three salt springs at Ningel in a scientific and hygienic condition, to provide grant in-aid for construction of working sheds with modern equipments, to introduce either solar or gobar gas plants to replace use of fire wood which is costly in manufacturing the salt, to facilitate more orientation programmes of workshops to increase the production and use of scientific equipments, grant for celebration of IGNCA-annual festival of salt so that other villagers may also revive their salt wells, to develop a tourist spot at Ningel village and to protect the spot as a historical monument and cover it as a living museum.

Actively participated by around 85 people including scholars, local villagers, artisans and resource persons, the workshop cum seminar was organised jointly by Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi and Manipur University.

According to programme co-ordinator, Dr H Bilashini Devi, who is also the curator of Manipur University Museum, quality of salts depends on its chemical ingredients and herein lies the beauty and importance of Meitei Thum which contains good percentage of Calcium, Magnesium, Chlorine, Iron and Iodine among other traces of essential elements.

Dr Bilashini further said that Meitei Thum is a rare bio-salt of India and it is claimed as one of the best food ingredients because of various factors like eco-friendliness, vegetarian nature and purity of its natural source.

Besides, it is very safe for diabetic, BP, Anemia and Arthritis patients.

Although the present status of such natural salt springs in the State is very discouraging and seems to be almost at the verge of total extinction, it would be meaningful to take up necessary action in time for the revival of these rare and good quality salt producing springs, she added.

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