Moirangthem Loiya, a 45-year-old man from Manipur, has replanted a whole forest named Punshilok in Imphal's Langol hill range all by himself. Loiya has been replanting the forest in the 300-acre area for the past 17 years. Speaking to news agency ANI, he said that 250 species of plants and 25 species of bamboo grow in the forest.
He further said that birds, snakes and other wild animals also live inside the Punshilok forest.
Kereilhouvi Angami, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Manipur also appreciated Loiya's efforts. Angami told ANI that we welcome all those who protect the environment and are engaged in reforestation. He further said that the administration encourages other people to also take part in protection, revival and re-forestation.
Punshilok means 'Spring of Life'. Loiya has been working on the forest since 2002. According to a Times of India report, there was not even a single tree when he started, since it was burned down by the locals for rice cultivation.
Before this, Loiya was a medical representative. He had quit his job to work on the forest and lives in a small hut he built himself, according to the Times of India report.
(With inputs from ANI and The Times of India)
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