Imphal: Approximately 300 enthusiastic cyclists took to the streets of Imphal on Tuesday, weaving through the city as part of a vibrant cyclothon celebrating Earth Day 2025. The 9.5-kilometre event, aptly themed “Our Power, Our Planet,” championed the adoption of bicycles and renewable energy sources as crucial alternatives to environmentally damaging fossil fuels.
The spirited rally commenced at the historic Western Kangla Gate, where Arun Kumar Sinha, IAS, the Principal Secretary of Forest and Environment for the Government of Manipur, officially flagged off the participants. The initiative was a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, working in close coordination with prominent local entities such as the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union and the Manipur Adventure and Mountain Biking Association.
As the cyclothon progressed through key areas including Keishampat, Keishamthong, and Pishum Singjamei, the participants conveyed powerful messages through eye-catching placards. Slogans like “Renewable Energy, the Solution” and “Keep Earth Green and Clean” underscored the urgency of environmental preservation. The journey culminated at the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change complex located in Porompat.
Dr. Kh. Palin, the Managing Director of Shija Hospital and Research Institute, articulated the dual benefits of the event, stating, “Burning fossil fuels is damaging the planet. Cycling provides health benefits and helps reduce fuel consumption.” He further emphasized the critical role of forests, declaring, “The forest is our lungs. Without trees, humans cannot survive. We are responsible for both the damage and the repair of the Earth.”
Echoing this sense of urgency, Dr T Brajakumar Singh, Director of the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, stressed the pivotal role of the present generation. “We are the only generation that can protect the planet. If we fail, the future of life on Earth is uncertain. We must rethink our development model and adopt sustainable lifestyles,” he asserted.
The Earth Day cyclothon garnered significant support from various echelons of society. Naveen Katlare, the Assistant General Manager at the Reserve Bank of India, recognised climate change as “a genuine issue” necessitating individual responsibility. Adventurist Joykumar Sharma highlighted the rally’s potential to amplify the environmental message, ensuring its wider dissemination among the populace.
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