Manipur CM appoints 9-year-old who cried profusely at axing of trees as 'Green Ambassador'

Updated Aug 10, 2019 | 17:06 IST | Mirror Now Digital

Aged 9, Manipur resident Valentina Elangbam has been appointed as the state's Green Ambassador by CM Biren Singh after a video of her crying profusely over the chopping of trees went viral on social media.

Manipur: 9-year-old appointed as state's Green Ambassador
Valentina Elangbam with her family in Manipur  |  Photo Credit: ANI

Key Highlights

  • A video of Valentina crying profusely at the axing of trees was uploaded on social media platforms by her uncle
  • Manipur CM Biren Singh even sent officials to the child's home to console her with more saplings
  • Internet users are lauding the 9-year-old's commitment to conservation

Imphal: Days after a video of her crying inconsolably over the felling of two trees in her locality, a 9-year-old girl from Hiyanglam Makha Leikai in Kakching district of Manipur has been made the ambassador of Chief Minister N Biren Singh's Green Manipur Mission. A student of Class 5 at the Amutombi Divine Life School in Hiyanglam Wabagai, Valentina Elangbam is now at the forefront of a movement to promote the conservation of nature rather than its exploitation.

Earlier this month, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh came across a video of the child weeping profusely after two Gulmohar trees planted by her near the bank of a river were chopped down. Taking to micro-blogging website Twitter, Singh declared Elangbam's appointment to "Green Ambassador" for CM's Green Manipur Mission. He added that officials were rushed to her residence and tried to console her with more saplings.

 

 

Singh further asked people from across the state to follow in Valentina's footsteps and save nature. The Class 5 student will now play an active role with the state government's tree plantation drives in public schools across the state on the occasions of World Environment Day and Van Mahotsava. The 9-year-old champion of environmental conservation will also feature in advertisements and campaigns to be launched by the state government in order to spread awareness about the preservation of natural habitats.

 

 

Speaking to a news agency, Valentina said that she feels very hurt when she sees people cutting down trees. She even said that it is her dream to become a forest officer in the years to come and plant trees on all deforested hills. Talking about her video which went viral on social media, the child says that she was very sad when the trees she planted four years ago and had been taking care of like her own siblings were chopped down.

Her mother Shaya said that she is overjoyed at her daughter's appointment as the state's Green Ambassador. Shaya also said that her family is fully committed and will support Valentina in every venture since they are proud of her deep passion for nature, added a report. Meanwhile, internet users from across the country are lauding the young girl's exemplary commitment to the preservation of nature. Compliments continue to pour in for the 9-year-old following her elevation to the "Green Ambassador" of Manipur. She has also told media agencies that she will help the state in any and all conservation efforts. 

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