In a dual-location initiative aimed at wetland conservation, the Assam Rifles marked World Wetlands Day on February 2 by engaging in community-driven environmental actions in Komlakhong and Moreh. This day celebrates the adoption of the Ramsar Convention in 1971 and emphasizes the essential role of wetlands in biodiversity sustenance, flood prevention, carbon storage, and livelihood support.
In Komlakhong, located in Imphal West, Assam Rifles worked alongside forest department officials and thirty local residents to carry out a significant plantation drive. This collaborative effort led to the planting of 200 native saplings, including species such as sal, teak, and bamboo, around the fringes of the wetland. The primary objectives of this initiative were to enhance biodiversity, reduce soil erosion, and restore crucial natural habitats that are necessary for water purification and flood control in Manipur’s sensitive ecosystem. The event was supplemented by awareness sessions aimed at educating the community on the importance of their involvement in preserving local ecological hotspots.
Meanwhile, at the S Moljol Primary School in Moreh, nestled in the Tengnoupal District, the Assam Rifles engaged students through a competitive awareness quiz about ecosystems, and the threats wetlands face from human activities. Thirty-eight students exhibited considerable knowledge in this area, and the initiative further motivated environmental responsibility by rewarding top performers and providing educational briefings to both students and faculty. This outreach successfully nurtured a sense of environmental stewardship in this remote border area.