Chandel’s Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Dr. N. Munal Meitei, marked the 20th World Mountain Day with an awareness program under the theme “Mountain Solutions for a Sustainable Future” at Anallon Christian Institute, Lambung, Chandel. The event was attended by students, teachers, and staff from the institute as well as members of the Chandel Forest Division.

During his address, Dr. Munal highlighted the significance of mountains in the region and beyond. He noted that mountains comprise 90% of Manipur’s geography and are ancient natural treasures. With forests covering 27% of the state’s land, he stressed their role in conserving water, air, and biodiversity. He referred to mountains as the “Water Towers of the Planet,” supplying two-thirds of the world’s fresh water.

Dr. Munal further emphasized the renewable energy potential of mountains, citing opportunities in hydroelectric power, wind, and solar energy. He also pointed out that mountains contribute significantly to tourism, accounting for 18% of global tourism and attracting millions of visitors annually. Beyond their economic and environmental benefits, mountains preserve biodiversity and cultural heritage, he added.

Highlighting the agricultural importance of mountains, Dr. Munal shared that 80% of the world’s food crops originate from mountain ecosystems, with six of the twenty key crops cultivated in such regions.

However, he raised concerns about the challenges faced by mountains, including deforestation, illegal logging, climate change, soil erosion, landslides, and water scarcity. Plastic pollution was also flagged as a growing issue in mountain areas.

Dr. Munal called for collective action to conserve forests, reduce deforestation, and protect biodiversity. He urged meaningful participation in World Mountain Day celebrations, emphasizing the need to preserve the unique mountains and hills of Manipur, especially in the Chandel District.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment from attendees to protect and sustain the region’s mountainous ecosystems for future generations.