The establishment of the Youth Forum for the Indian Himalayan region, Himalayan Knowledge Network (HKN) Manipur Chapter cum expert talk was held on 31st March 2022, in the Conference Hall of Manipur Institute of Management Studies, Manipur University, Canchipur. The programme was organised by the HKN Manipur Chapter, with financial assistance from the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (GBPNIHE), Almora, Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change, Government of India. A total of forty-nine youths representing various districts of Manipur attended the programme. The ceremony for the establishment of the Youth Forum was also witnessed by professors, research scholars, and students of Manipur University. The one-day programme involved capacity building, knowledge exchange sessions, leadership exercises, and a networking session.


The participants expressed their views on the aspects of:


(i) the youth forum HKN Manipur Chapter,
(ii) the major environmental issues of the state, and
(iii) the role youths can play in resolving the pressing environmental issues in the state.


The main problems in the state, as highlighted by the various participants, are summarised below:


1. Wide-scale deforestation and denudation of hills in the state.
2. Poor solid waste management in towns, especially the disposal of wastes on the hill slopes without treatment.
3. Pollution of rivers, lakes and water bodies in the state
4. Illegal sand mining in the river beds, etc.