Don’t destroy nature for sake of modernisation: Governor

CSIR aroma mission launched

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 18

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – North East Industrial Scientific Technology (CSIR-NEIST) today launched its first aroma mission at its Lamphelpat office. It was launched by the state governor Najma Heptullah.

During the launching function, Heptulla said that the state has rich biodiversity and she would extend whatever help needed to strengthen the mission. She urged the gathering not to destroy nature in the name of modernisation.  

 Heptulla continued that eucalyptus plant is brought from Australia during the British period and does no good to the rich biodiversity of the state instead it helps in soil degradation, decreases water level and also harms other plants. She appealed to the scientists and researchers of the state to start a movement to stop eucalyptus (Nasik) plantation especially near the Loktak basin.

Stating that the government is working hard for removal of Ithai barrage, Heptullah told that in this regard, she had met the ministry of environment at the centre. “Because of the barrage, the largest lake in the Northeast, Loktak lake is shrinking.  Water cannot flow to downstream and many rare species are vanishing”, she added. 

Along with Aroma Mission, Anthropogenic impact and their management options in the different ecosystems of the Indian Himalayan region (with special reference to Imphal/Manipur river basin) was also launched by the governor.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed and exchanged between the CSIR-NEIST, BLM Imphal and farmers of the state and distributed quality planting variety of lemongrass and citronella plant developed by CSIR-NEIST.

After this launching programme, the farmers will cultivate lemongrass and citronella plant in 500 hectares of the state and in every 50 hectares, CSIR-NEIST will install one oil extract machine.

The launching function was also attended by chief scientist of CSIR-NEIST Jorhat, P. Sengupta and former member of Steering Committee NER Vision 2020, DoNer as guests of honour. Director of CSIR-NEIST, D. Ramaiah presided over the function.

CSIR-NEIST has been since long trying to turn the rich aromatic and medicinal herbs and plants of the state to usable and marketable products.