Manipur environment director says public participation is key to carbon neutrality goal

Manipur's Director of Environment and Climate Change, T. Brajakumar Singh, said on World Environment Day that public participation is essential for the state to reach carbon neutrality. He outlined the Manipur State Action Plan on Climate Change, which focuses on science-based policies and evidence-based decision making. The state is working with health, water, agriculture, and forest departments to build climate-resilient practices. Singh also highlighted wetland conservation efforts. The Union government identified 132 wetlands in Manipur via satellite, and 71 have been mapped through field surveys. Protecting those 71 wetlands could cover about 1.8% of the state's geographical area. The remaining wetlands will be identified with help from the Manipur State Remote Sensing Centre and NIC. Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam stressed that awareness alone is not enough and called for concrete action from citizens.