Supported by the Directorate of Environment & Climate Change, Government of Manipur, the three-month certificate course seeks to engage students on different aspects of wetland studies with a broad perspective on the significance of wetlands’ ecosystem services to both human and natural environments.
TFM Desk
For the first time in Manipur, and in North East India, a higher education institution has taken up the yeomen’s spade for initiating wetland management studies for undergraduates, postgraduates and research students interested in the study and research on different aspects of wetlands.
Ningthoukhong-based Mangolnganbi College has taken the lead to incorporate an ‘Add-on Course in Wetland Studies and Management’ under the broad spectrum of the University Grants Commission’s extra-edge thrust on imparting ground-rooted supplement studies in addition to the general courses for science students in particular and for those interested in science-based studies on various aspects of the natural environment.
The Add-on Course in Wetland Studies and Management was formally launched at the College’s auditorium on Saturday with Dr Kh.Shamungou, Chair of Technical Committee, Manipur State Wetlands Authority, K.Jugeshor Singh, retired Principal of Kumbi College, Professor P Kumar Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Manipur International University, and Dr T.Brajakumar Singh, Director, Directorate of Environment & Climate Change on the dais.
Supported by the Directorate of Environment & Climate Change, Government of Manipur, the three-month certificate course seeks to engage students on different aspects of wetland studies with a broad perspective on the significance of wetlands’ ecosystem services to both human and natural environments. It also seeks to engage the students on wetlands as an important component of nature-based solution for climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.
Speaking at the inauguration function, Dr T.Brajakumar stressed on wetland studies to understand the relative significance of wetlands in climate regulation and wetlands’ contribution in maintaining equilibrium towards biological diversity and sustainable livelihoods of wetland dependent communities.
Urging research students to engage in wetland studies and management with scientific temperament and academically inclined thrust, Dr Brajakumar called upon the college faculties to come up with research proposals for study on the different aspects of wetland flora and fauna, and ecology. Dr Brajakumar further committed to installing a weather station at the College’s premises in addition to the 35 weather stations already installed by the Directorate in different locations across the State.
Sharing concerns on wetland studies, Professor P.Kumar stressed on the study of the floral species specifically in wetlands keeping in mind a number of local aquatic edible species that are in condition of rapid decline and on the verge of complete disappearance within the State. Few species found in Loktak Lake like Trapa natans is on the point of being termed as ‘extinct in wild’ in Manipur, Kumar said.
Mangolnganbi College’s initiative to start a course on wetland studies and management is timely and a right approach today in the context of global warming wherein wetlands play a significant role in carbon sequestration, IUCN CEESP member Salam Rajesh said emphasizing that according to studies, peatland soil can store around 4700 tons of carbon in one hectare area while tropical rainforest soil can store about 200 tons of carbon only in the same measurement.
Wetlands in Manipur generally are in various stages of decline and degeneration due to anthropogenic influences and neglect, Rajesh stressed while recounting his personal experiences where field assessment indicated several wetlands in the State have either completely dried up or have been reclaimed for various human activities.
The Manipur Brow-antlered Deer’s habitat at Keibul Lamjao National Park is in a precarious condition currently and there is serious need for management strategies to protect and manage its habitat scientifically in order to safeguard the future of the deer which finds a place in the IUCN Red Data list of endangered species in the world, retired Kumbi College principal K.Jugeshor said while emphasizing that there is a need for an accurate assessment of the deer population in understanding its current status.
RK Birjit, principal of Mangolnganbi College and Manipur State Coordinator IBCN while speaking on the occasion stressed that research students interested in the study of wetland ecology and biodiversity must endure commitment to seriousness in understanding the dynamics of wetlands in the context of biodiversity conservation and wetland ecosystem services as important for the survival of humans and the wildlife.
The course content was briefed to the students by Dr L.Premananda Singh, assistant professor of geology, outlining three modules for the course including field trips to selected wetlands for hands-down understand of wetland ecology.