Meet Moirangthem Loiya: In 20 years, a 47-year-old man from Manipur’s Imphal West district transformed barren land into a 300-acre forest rich in plant species.
Moirangthem Loiya, who is from the district’s Uripok Khaidem Leikai area, began planting trees on the outskirts of Imphal in the Langol Hill range about 20 years ago.
Moirangthem Loiya of Manipur, India, dedicated 20 years of his life to planting 300 acres of forest. In the year 2000, he resigned from his position. He lives in a small hut within his forest, which is home to over 250 different plant and animal species.
Imphal: A 47-year-old man in Manipur’s Imphal West district has converted barren land into a 300 acre forest with a wide variety of plant species in 20 years. Moirangthem Loiya, who hails from Uripok Khaidem Leikai area of the district, started planting trees on the outskirts of pic.twitter.com/KW6vu1t36G
— Deccan News (@Deccan_Cable) November 13, 2022
Loiya, who has been a nature lover since childhood, told PTI, “After graduating from college in Chennai in early 2000, I went to the Koubru mountain. I was astounded by the widespread deforestation of the previously dense vegetation that characterised the Koubru hill ranges. I felt compelled to give back to Mother Nature.”
The search quickly led him to Maru Langol, renamed “Punshilok Maru” or “Spring of Life,” in the Langol Hill range on the outskirts of Imphal’s capital city.
“I happened upon the place by chance while hiking and immediately felt the area, which was all barren due to jhum (slash and burn) cultivation, could be converted into a thick, green, lush forest with time and dedication,” the 47-year-old explained.
State forest officials have been supportive of Loiya’s efforts to plant trees in the Longol hill range.
According to forest officials, the 300-acre forest contains more than 100 plant species, including approximately 25 varieties of bamboo species. It also contains barking deers, porcupines, and snakes.
According to officials, the land was barren about 20 years ago.
According to forest officials, the majority of wildfires spread because people want a piece of land for cultivation or any other activity.
