Manipur Rifles unit takes lead in green earth campaign

Imphal, October 5 : Notwithstanding their heavy schedule in the maintenance of law and order in the State, comparatively peaceful atmosphere prevalent in Tamenglong district is being showcased by the number of cherry trees nurtured along the curvy highway stretch that leads to the district headquarters.

Thanks of relative peace in the district security forces, particularly personnel of the 5th Manipur rifles battalion had been able to contribute their mite in the protection of the environment through tree plantation activities.

Under the aegis of the battalion's Commanding Officer KC Lokho the mR personnel had embarked on the noble mission to protect the environment and begun cherry tree plantation activities since 1995 and the result is being reaped today as weary travellers on this accident-prone road could atleast stop to not only get engrossed in the beauty of the surrounding but also realise that gun-totting security personnel also have a humane heart and cares for the nature.

Cherry trees planted, groomed and protected by the 5th MR personnel adding serenity to the Tamenglong-Khongsang road

Beginning from Khongsang village the entire roadside upto Tamenglong district headquarters is being dotted with cherry trees.

Even though the serene atmosphere in Tamenglong district sometimes get shattered when gun-fights break out, mostly inter-factional showdowns, the district is today among the most peaceful zone in Manipur even since the Central Government signed ceasefire with the Naga rebel group the NSCN (IM).

It is informed that the cherry tree plantation programme began with over 1000 saplings brought from Mao sub-division of Senapati district.

Initially, the vision of the MR unit's CO to beautify parts of Tamenglong district as supplementary contribution to the global initiative of retaining the earth's green cover seems headed for disaster as there was hardly any assistance from the locals.

Apart from villagers that reside along the route uprooting newly planted saplings to plant them at their own places, stray cattles used to trample them thereby leading to premature withering of the cherry trees.

Undeterred by such setbacks, the MR personnel stubbornly persisted with their non-combat task and went on replenishing the damaged section and ultimately succeeded in their mission that today villagers prefer to rest under the cherry trees and appreciate its beauty.

Cherry flowers are said to blossom in November and the rows of plantation along Tamenglong-Khongjarol are on the verge to blossom.

Preferring to stay aloof from the media limelight inspite of his personal contribution to the cherry tree plantation endeavour the 5th MR CO cut short a recent attempt by this reporter to extract comment from KC Lokho who only muttered that the plantation activities began about 15 years back.

Despite the CO's reluctance to be drawn into the chat, some battalion personnel conveyed that on a regular basis teams of MR personnel are despatched for nurturing and protection of the cherry trees by plucking weeds and clearing overgrowths thereby also able to present a clean look of the surroundings.

When the assigned task is not so arduous or little tending is required the personnel's service are utilised in mending potholes along the highway stretch, they informed.

Expressing that there had been appreciative remarks from travellers upon witnessing beauty of the area, the MR personnel humbly commented that they could atleast extend some contribution in not only retaining the district's green foliage but could also chip in controlling soil erosion.

While most of the battalion campus had been covered with fully grown cherry trees, it is said that the CO has plans to spread the cherry tree plantation programme on an even wider scale in the district.