A section of attendees, officials and others during awareness programme on wildfires held at Asufii Christian Institute (ACI), Punanamei, Mao on February 10. (Photo Courtesy: ACI)
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Punanamei, February 11 (MExN): An awareness programme on wildfires, themed “Our Forest, Our Responsibility,” was held at Asufii Christian Institute (ACI), Punanamei, Mao.
The programme was jointly organised by the Senapati District Forest Division, Government of Manipur, the Department of Zoology, ACI, and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Asufii Christian Institute.
Addressing the gathering, Shanngam S, Divisional Forest Officer, Senapati Forest Division, emphasised the need for responsible and informed use of fire in and around forest areas.
He highlighted the values and ethics embedded in traditional practices such as jhum cultivation and explained their linkage with forest wildfires. Stressing community responsibility, he said forest protection is a collective duty and called upon individuals to safeguard forests in their respective localities.
Dr Lokho Pune, IFS (Retd.), former Member of the Manipur Public Service Commission, described forests as vital to sustaining livelihoods and warned that even small-scale forest burning has serious environmental consequences.
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He noted that forest fires significantly contribute to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, adding that while forests earlier absorbed most emissions, only about 50 per cent is absorbed today, making uncontrolled wildfires a growing concern amid global warming.
Chokhoni Koso, Range Forest Officer, Mao, explained the technical aspects of wildfire behaviour and management, drawing from recent wildfire incidents in and around Mount Esii and Dziiko. Her presentation provided field-based insights into wildfire causes, spread, and control measures.
The programme also saw the participation of Alankrit Gautam who interacted with participants and shared inputs on forest conservation and community awareness.
As part of the event, a poster competition on the theme “Our Planet, Our Responsibility” was organised in two categories -college students and high school/higher secondary students, to encourage creative engagement with environmental issues.
It concluded with an interactive session aimed at strengthening collective commitment towards forest protection and wildfire prevention, informed a press release from the ACI.
Members of civil society organisations, community leaders, student bodies, faculty members, and students participated in the programme.
