A massive tree plantation drive was organised by the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO), Churachandpur and Kuki Chief Association with the Kuki civil society organisations and local villagers at the deforested portions of Thangjing hill range under Henglep subdivision of Churachandpur district on Tuesday. More than 10,000 tree saplings were reportedly planted by thousands of volunteers during the tree plantation drive at Thangjing hill areas in Churachandpur district of Manipur. Congratulating the Divisional Forest Officer DFO Churachandpur, CSO and village authorities, Minister of Forest and Environment, Thongam Biswajit tweeted,
“Delighted to share that 10,000 saplings were planted under #MassPlantationDrive taken up by DFO in Thangjing Hills. Kudos to DFO Churachandpur, CSO & village authorities for cooperation in this drive. Let’s plant more trees & let our #MotherEarth breathe! @PMOIndia @moefcc.”
More than 10,000 tree saplings were reportedly planted by thousands of volunteers during the drive. People from all walks of life participated in the drive at the place which has an important historical place for the people of the state.
KSO Churachandpur spokesperson DJ Haokip said that the place is important for the Kukis as well as Meeties. This was not their first plantation drive and they are further planning to carry out such drives in other places with their vision of ‘Growing trees signify a growing nation’.
The main aim is to bring about awareness and rejuvenate the forest which has been deforested due to jhum cultivations and other reasons, he said.
The leader of the Kuki Chief Association including Loikhai village chief Thenkhomang Haokip said that due to the rise in population and unemployment, the trees were cut down to be sold as firewood and further deforestation continued due to massive cultivation, including poppy.
The KCA leaders also highlighted the close bond between humans, mentioning that people cannot live without trees. Considering the importance of the place, he asserted that they were never against anyone worshiping on the Thangjing hill.