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Concern over drying up of streams in Manipur

By Correspondent

MOREH, March 11 - Experts have expressed concern over the drying up of streams in Manipur. Deputy Director of State Environment department Dr T Brajakumar has stressed the need to address the issue on a priority basis.

�At a time when we are discussing global water issues, we are facing water scarcity in our State too,� Dr Brajakumar said while speaking on the opening day of the two-day workshop on �Empowering Jhumias with secure livelihood: A challenge of ecological governance� at Trade Centre Hall at Moreh, the border town of Manipur, on Saturday.

The officer pointed out that 64 out of 95 streams and Singda dam reservoir, which feeds a large population in Imphal town, have already dried up.

Dr Brajakumar highlighted the activities undertaken by State Environment department in association with 20 line departments, 25 NGOs, experts and others since 2011 to frame 154 action plans to deal with various kinds of livelihood and other climate change issues under eight different sectors.

He also stressed the need to revise the State action plan on climate change. Dr Brajakumar sought comments, opinions and suggestions from stakeholders and the public in the workshop which concluded today.

Former member of NE Region Vision, DoNER, Government of India, Prof N Mohendro Singh and representatives of Moreh-based civil society organisations attended the inaugural function of the workshop organised to sensitise and motivate people involved in shifting cultivation in Tengnoupal district on better livelihood for sustainable development.

Prof Mohendro said that the livelihood of villagers dependent on shifting (jhum) cultivation has been affected due to urbanisation and other development activities. But those involved in jhum cultivation cannot become traders overnight.

�So we need to develop the foundation of a sustainable economy. The competition is tough in the light of the Government�s Act East policy,� Prof Mohendro said, appealing for unity among different communities residing at Moreh to protect the environment and natural resources while taking up development activities.

Chief Conservator of Forests Mahendra Pratap Singh, Managing Director of Thangjam Agro-Industries Th Joykumar, head of Department of Economics, Manipur University Prof Amar Yumnam were the resource persons in the workshop.

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