IMPHAL, June 17: The state Directorate of Environment today organized the ‘World Day to Combat Desertification, 2012’ at the Kangla Hall today.
The function was inaugurated by Principal Secretary, Forest & Environment VK Thakral.
It was also attended by Director, Directorate of Environment Dr M Homeshwor, Director College Development Council, MU prof RK Ranjan, department of Geography, MU prof N Deva Singh and Jt Director, Directorate of Environment Dr Y Nabachandra Singh.
In his keynote address, Dr M Homeshwor said that the day is also observed in Brazil.
He added that we should utilise our land wisely to provide for the ever expanding population.
Prof Ranjan Singh said that 50percent food production increase, 40percent more energy resources and 35percent of extra water will be needed to meet the demands of the growing population in the next decade.
75billion ton of fertile soil are degrading in the world and it takes billions of years to form fertile soil, he continued.
With the decrease in rainfall, even the hill areas of the state are facing insufficient food production.
He added that with the ever increasing population, even the jhumming cycle has shortened.
Forest cover is either directly or indirectly involved in the production of food, water and air and during the four months from July to October when we faced the maximum rainfall in the state, we should try to harvest food as much as we can in order to save the future of the world, he said.
Population growth and climate change are two most imminent threats to the environment, said N Deba Singh.
Manipur is gifted with fertile soil and we must utilize it properly.
Development will always affect the environment so the need for sustainable development rises, he said.
VK Thakral said about 100 countries are facing desertification today.
Speaking of its effect on the state, he said Manipur is yet not affected by it, however continuous deforestation, soil erosions will certainly bring it here.
The government departments, civil bodies and other individual stakeholders should cooperate to save the state from its effect.
We must also plant more tree saplings to save the soil nutrients, he concluded.