As we observe International Day of Biological Diversity, it is essential for everyone in the state to remember that Manipur is located in one of the most important five biodiversity hotspots in the region. And it is of utmost importance to nurture this gift of nature. Experts say, Manipur's biodiversity which falls under the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot with its rich flora and fauna and diverse ecosystem is, today, facing biodiversity degeneration due to various reasons, including lack of awareness in the society, faulty practices and limitation in the scientific community.
According to researchers, Manipur’s diverse ecosystems include tropical forest, sub-alpine and temperate forests, over 4,000 angiosperm species, 430 medicinal plants, 34 edible fungi species, 500 orchid species, 55 bamboo species, 40 endemic rice cultivars, 160 fish species and 21 migratory aquatic birds among others. Apart from the endangered deer species, the Sangai, Shiroi Lily, Dzuko Lily, Hoolock Gibbon, Scrow, Slow Loris, Golden Cat, Leopard Cat, Malayan Sun Bear, Spotted Linsang, Mrs Hume Pheasant and Hornbills add to the beauty of faunal and floral diversity in the state.
Many species, however, are on the verge of extinction due to the extensive process of forest fragmentation, degradation, deforestation and forest conversion. This year the theme of International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) 2024 is “Be part of the Plan” and it is a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, also referred to as the Biodiversity Plan. Biodiversity describes the wide range of life forms on Earth, spanning from genes to entire ecosystems. It encompasses the processes that maintain life, including evolution, ecology, and cultural practices.
Biodiversity plays a vital role in multiple aspects of our lives. Its importance lies in the numerous benefits humans derive from it, including essential needs like food, fuel, shelter, and medicine. Additionally, ecosystems offer critical services like pollination, seed dispersal, climate regulation, water purification, nutrient cycling, and pest control. Moreover, biodiversity holds value beyond known benefits, potentially offering new medicines and other services yet to be discovered.
Far too long, we have been exploiting and destroying our planet’s ecosystems. It is said every three seconds, the world loses enough forest to cover a football pitch and over the last century we have destroyed half of our wetlands. In Manipur, we are overwhelmed by multi-faceted issues of loss of forest cover and bald mountain ranges, diminishing wetland systems and polluted rivers, indiscriminate use of plastic use and wastage, and of course the vanishing water bodies in urban areas. In recent times, enough has been reported about the state of our wetland system and the vanishing peripheral wetlands due to human encroachment and other factors.
Loktak, of course, everyone knows it has changed to such a great extent ever since the coming of Loktak project and Ithai Barrage. Its ecosystem has been depleted so much that it is not recognisable with the Loktak of yesteryears. Our forefathers taught us that, Loktak is our mother and Mount Koubru our father. Let us begin with the vanishing forest cover on Koubru range, a result of human encroachment and widespread destruction of forest cover.
Now the question before us is how do we deal with the situation. Experts are talking about several key strategies like government legislation, nature preserves, reducing the amount of invasive species, habitat restoration, captive breeding and seed banks, reducing climate change, sustainable living etc.
We must however say, our ancestors have their own way and strategies of conservation and practices besides beliefs. Why do our ancestors worship mountains and forests? Why do we maintain sacred groves all over the valley in sites of forest deities? Sacred groves are forest patches conserved by the local people intertwined with their socio-cultural and religious practice. These groves harbour rich biodiversity and play a significant role in the conservation of biodiversity.
