By Dr. Syed Ahmed, for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: Like in other parts of the globe, World Environment Day was celebrated in different parts of Manipur on June 5, 2014. The day was observed by Government institutions and civil bodies by organizing awareness programmes and planting tree saplings.
All Manipur Muslims (Meitei-Pangal) Welfare Association, in association with the Department of Forest & Environment, Government of Manipur also observed the Day by launching the “Go Green Masjid” campaign at a function held at Hafiz Hatta Jame Majid near the World War II Cemetery at Imphal.
The function was graced by President of All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) Wangkhemcha Shyamjai, Chairman of Masjid Committee, Hafiz Hatta Jame Masjid Md. Abdus Shakoor, Former Principal Secretary M.A. Sattar, IAS (Retd.), Vice-President of AMWJU Ratan Luwangcha, Junior Scientist Officer, Environment Department Bhogeswar and President of AMPWA Prof. M.A. Janab Khan as Chief Guest, Guests of Honour and President respectively.
Secretary General of AMPWA and Associate Professor of D.M. College of Science Dr. Md. Raheijuddin Sheikh spoke on the topic “Islam and Science.” In his speech, he emphasized that Islam gave due importance to the conservation of the environment by quoting different hadith. He urged every individual to take responsibility of preserving the environment. He further said that we should also keep our environment clean and even develop environment-friendly eating habits. We often waste and dump food. The waste food degenerates to give the harmful methane gas, he cites.
Sheikh further said that last year Islamic Research and Dawah Centre, a body based in Imphal, had organized Green Masjid and Madrasa Campaign, an awareness drive for the protection of environment and making the surroundings of masjids and madrasas in the State green by planting trees. We had taken the help of Environment Department, Government of Manipur. It was very successful. The campaign managed to raise the awareness of common people of conserving the environment by referring to the Islamic teachings, traditions and anecdotes. We had also given some simple tips for conserving the nature to the teachers and students of some of the madrasas of the State, besides planting tree saplings, which were provided by the State Environment Department. This year AMPWA, one of the most prominent civil society organizations of the Muslims in the State will take up the Go Green Masjid Campaign. The body will be visiting some of the masjids in the far off places like Moreh and Jiribam to plant saplings and give awareness on conservation of our environment, he added.
Giving his speech, Vice-President of AMWJU Ratan Luwangcha said there has been extensive degradation of forest and water bodies in the State. Studies have shown that the forest areas of Manipur have declined extensively in the plain and the hill areas over the years. The extension of human settlement and various developmental works in the valley of Manipur has led to declining of forest areas and water bodies. The State Government should take proactive role in work of conserving the forest areas of the State. Jhum cultivation and other practices for livelihood in the hill areas of the State which are detrimental to the green areas should be stopped. However, the Government should come up with alternatives solutions. The rampant practice of killing precious wild birds and animals should also be checked. Besides all these, people in the State should be given adequate awareness on some of the key environmental issues that the world is facing today.”
Stating the significance of the day, Scientific Officer Bhogeswar said countries across the globe had been observing World Environment Day on June 5 since 1972 under the initiative of UN to stimulate worldwide
awareness of environmental issues and encourages political action. Last year the day was observed on the theme “Think, Eat, Save.” This year the focus is on “Small Islands and Climate Change” with the slogan “Raise your voice, not the sea level. On this day let us all pledge to work together to protect our environment and save the planet, he added.
Later, saplings of fruit bearing plants were planted in the campus of the Hafiz Hatta Jame Masjid and the Kabastan or graveyard near the World War II Cemetery.