Imphal, 4 July 2020: Imphal, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Awangbow Newmai today flagged off a one-day media campaign ‘Save Nambul River’ at Thong Nambonbi, Imphal West organised by the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) in collaboration with the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change.
Addressing the gathering, Newmai said the historically relevant Nambul river has been immensely polluted in the last 40-50 years. He reminded that Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh on March last year had launched the ‘Rejuvenation and Conservation of Nambul River’ project under the National River Conservation Plan of the Ministry. Opining that the project will succeed with the support from the general public, ‘Save Nambul River’ media campaign will visit up to Loktak using boats, he expressed his happiness on learning upon from his department officers that the local clubs and people residing near the river bank have been cooperating with the Government officials in the initiatives undertaken for the environmental conservation. He stressed on the need for preservation and conservation of nature’s gift and appreciated the role of media for spreading wide awareness among the masses regarding environmental conservation in the State. He said that joint awareness campaign among various stakeholders will help in building a social relationship and also bring economic and political development in the State.
Stating that the Government under the leadership of N. Biren Singh has successfully overcame various challenges in the past, he appealed for full support from the public so that Government can continue developmental work for better future of the State. M. Joy, Commissioner, Information and Public Relations (IPR) opined that saving environment needs cooperation from all sections of the society. He said the success of ‘Save Nambul River’ media campaign will definitely open a way for reviving the Nambul river and restore the waterway which was once used for the purpose of trade and commerce in the State.
Dr T. Brajakumar, Deputy Director, Directorate of Environment and Climate Change said during 1960’s the Nambul river was a big waterway used for commercial activities, however in last 10-20 years the quality of the river degraded. The Directorate along with other stakeholders have been carrying out conservation efforts to restore to its former glory. Regarding the origin of the Nambul river, he informed that three streams flowing from Kangchup Hills with distance of 47 km, 27 km and 18 km respectively joins at Iroishemba to form the Nambul river. Informing that the river flowing from Iroishemba to Heirangoithong at a stretch of 9.14 km is the most polluted zone, he said the river from Heirangoithong flows to drain into Loktak Lake at Yangoi Karong which is around 26 km.
Stating that the rejuvenation of the river is a big challenge, Rejuvenation and Conservation of Nambul River is a project under the National River Conservation Plan of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change with project cost of Rs 97.72 core to be completed in three years in phase wise manner. Directorate of Environment and Climate Change will implement the project with line departments Water Resources, Public Health Engineering, MAHUD (IMC) and Manipur State Pollution Control Board. Dr Y Nabachandra, Director, Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Khogendra Khomdram, President Editors Guild Manipur, Bijoy Kakchingtabam, President, AMWJU among others attended the flag-off.
