Experts called for community paticipation for conservation of Yongchak (tree bean/Parkia speciosa) in Manipur, as the trees are gradually disappearing and the state spends around Rs 370 crore annually in its import from neighbouring country, Myanmar to meet the growing demand.
"Conservation of Parkia speciosa (Yongchak in local language) should be of prime focus by all concerned stakeholders and society as well. Rs 370 crore is flowing out from the state to Myanmar every year to import yongchak to meet the high demand. The demand is increasing because tree bean is one of the delecacies of Manipur," Prof N Mohilal Meitei, Head of Department, Zoology, Manipur University said during the inaugural function of an exhibition on Tuesday.
A two-day state level workshop cum exhibition of tree beans, organised by ICAR Manipur Centre at its premises, was inaugurated on Monday.
Delivering his keynote address, the professor also pointed out that there is is gradual disappearing of the locally grown Yongchak over the years, hence the urgent need for its conservation in the state. He cited several reasons for the dying of the trees: insect and fungus attack, shortage of water source, change in ecosystem, reduction of plant pollinating animals like bats and absence of proper management, etc.
"During the season of Yongchak that lasts for nearly four months in a year, around 300 vans are used to import Yongchak every day. Each van can carry produce worth around Rs 1.5 lakh," he said.
Conservation of Parkia is also necessary from the cultural and ecological aspects apart from economical viewpoint, he said while informing about the steps taken to control gradual dying and drying up of Yongchak.
The farmers have been compelled to look for alternative means of livelihood. As a result, poppy cultivation is fast emerging as an alternative to Yongchak cultivation in various hill areas of Manipur, the Professor said.
He continued that there is an urgent need for scientific and biotechnological intervention for developing short term and long-term strategies for the propagation, protection and sustainable production of this highly important tree of the state.
Chief Guest of the function, VK Mishra, Director, ICAR, Research Complex for NEH Region Umiam, said Yongchak is one of the important trees in the whole of northeast states. But unfortunately, there is a threat to the growers with reduction in their produce. This can be addressed by two aspects - through scientific and social approaches, he said.
Yongchak can be conserved successfully only when both these approaches go together, Mishra said, urging people of the state to plant at least one Yongchak tree in their houses as a kind of movement to preserve it.
The workshop-cum-exhibition was conducted in collaboration with Central Agricultural University (CAU), Institute of Bio-researches and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research- North East Institute of Science & Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA) and Apunba Ima gi Macha Sing (AIMS).
