Environment conservation: Events are not enough, society told

Diphupar students’ green campaign concludes Staff Reporter Dimapur, April 30 As an initiative to preserve the environment and create awareness for conservation among the people, Diphupar Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) on Thursday organized a daylong environmental campaign they dubbed the ‘Clean and Green’ drive. The event was staged with the theme ‘my environment, my responsibility,’ in Diphupar village. Addressing the closing program of the event on April 30 in Dimapur, the chief guest, Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur district, Kesonyu Yhome, challenged the students and the people gathered at the venue: “What legacy will you leave behind for the next generation to follow?” The initiative to save the environment does not end with a day’s program, he said. ‘We have to interact with nature every day,’ the administrator pointed out. Reminding that the people can neither protect the environment nor build a society through interests founded on greed, Yhome said that the people, first of all, have to become responsible citizens and peace loving citizens. ‘People have become very materialistic, which is a very sad trend,’ he lamented. The chief guest also said that clean and green environment begins from the kitchen. If people think globally but not act locally, society won’t move forward, he said. Also addressing the gathering with the keynote address was Sakulemba Jamir, president of the DNSU. The students’ leader said that ‘we are doing our part to protect and preserve the environment’. While admitting that the goal to protect and preserve the environment cannot be achieved in a day, he said “but we want this to be a start. We want this event to be an example to the people.” The organizers also staged signature campaign to ban use of plastic bags in the village. The ban of polythene bags will create employment and generate income, said Sakulemba and further added that they are finding alternatives to use of plastic bags. Earlier in the day, the daylong campaign kicked off with an environment-themed series of events called ‘greenathon’ at 6:00 am. The event encompassed a marathon, cycling, plantation, and a painting completion. The ‘greenathon’, a marathon, was held to promote healthy living, according to the organizers. Kongtha and Orenboni emerged winners of the boys and girls category, respectively. In cycling, which the organizers said was aimed at inculcating a sense to reducing air and noise pollution, Yoto and Watimenla took the first place in the boys and girls category, respectively. The route for marathon and cycling was within the village including the national highway. In the painting competition, Henry emerged the winner. Painting was aimed at spreading message about the need to preserve the environment. The students also undertook a plantation drive and a sticker campaign. The event was organized in collaboration with the village council and various other students’ unions from the area. Winners Greenathon Boys • Kongtha • Longsha • Othong Girls • Orenboni • Veine • Vilasienuo Painting • Henry • Ashrin Paul • Longyang Chang Cycling Boys • Yoto • Temsumar • Viloto Girls • Watimenla • Kivitoli • Kethosenuo