Manipur marked the ‘First International day of Clean Air for Blue Skies’ on Monday with plantation of tree saplings under the theme 'Clean air for all'.
In Imphal, tree saplings were planted at the office of the Directorate of Health Services, Lamphel, as a part of the one-day state-level observation.
In connection with the event, a total of 5,000 face masks were donated by the department of Environment and Climate Change under United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). They were distributed to the representatives of different districts for use by covid warriors, including ASHA, AWW and Women and children.
Director of Health Services Dr K Rajo Singh, who attended the event as the chief guest spoke on different climate changes and related health events like vector borne diseases, water borne diseases and NCD.
Rajo further spoke about the need of concerted efforts by inter-departmental coordination and to re-enforce the climate change mitigation strategies in all the districts of Manipur.
Public health specialist and additional director, Manipur health department, Dr Khoirom Sasheekumar, as a special guest at the event, spoke on the connection among clear sky, clean air and good health and elaborated on different steps of controlling air pollution.
A similar district level function along with tree plantation was also carried out at chief medical officers’ offices at Chandel and Bishnupur district.
As a part of the occasion, a week-long campaign for awareness on air pollution and uses of face masks will be held in all the health centres across the state from Tuesday.
