World Environment Day 2026 was observed across Nagaland with tree plantation drives, conservation pledges and climate action initiatives.
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KOHIMA/DIMAPUR — World Environment Day 2026 was observed across various districts in Nagaland on Friday on the theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”
Kohima Peace Memorial & Eco Park: World Environment Day 2026 observed at the Kohima Peace Memorial & Eco Park was attended by Minister for Environment, Forests & Climate Change and Village Guards, CL John, as the special guest.
Addressing the gathering, the minister called on citizens, particularly the younger generation, to actively participate in environmental conservation. John highlighted that the Kohima Peace Memorial
& Eco Park was developed through collaboration between the Government of Nagaland and Japan under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Emphasising the importance of tree planting and sustainable practices, the minister urged every individual to plant at least one tree and help protect the environment.
He expressed concern over forest fires, hunting, global warming, plastic pollution and poor waste disposal habits, stressing that environmental awareness must begin with the youth.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Vedpal Singh, described the environment as the ecosystem that sustains life and warned of the impacts of pollution, climate change and plastic contamination.
He urged citizens to adopt sustainable lifestyles, reduce waste and contribute towards a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future.
NIMSR Kohima: Marking World Environment Day, the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR), Kohima, launched an Indigenous Herbal Garden and conducted a tree plantation drive.
Speaking at the programme, Director-in-Charge AYUSH and CEO of the State Medicinal Plant Board (SMPB), Dr. T Bendangla, highlighted the importance of indigenous herbal medicine and said Nagaland is home to nearly 1,500 medicinal plant species. However, only around 600 have been documented so far, leaving many yet to be explored.
She said the state’s medicinal plants are valued for their premium quality, attracting interest from manufacturers and companies. Dr. Bendangla added that the SMPB has been promoting medicinal plants over the past two years and noted that Kohima’s climate is suitable for cultivating lavender.
Commissioner and Secretary of Health & Family Welfare, Anoop Khinchi, called on people to reduce plastic use, citing rising temperatures and the growing threat of microplastics. He encouraged the use of cloth bags and reusable water bottles, while stressing the need for responsible consumption of water and electricity.
Director-cum-Dean of NIMSR, Dr. Soumya Chakraborty, urged people to nurture planted saplings to help reduce carbon footprints and reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to sustainable and renewable energy initiatives.
RGHSS Kohima: Meanwhile, addressing students during the World Environment Day observance at the multipurpose hall of Rüzhükhrie Government Higher Secondary School (RGHSS), Commissioner and Secretary and Team Leader of NEPED, Kovi Meyase, stressed that environmental conservation is a shared responsibility and not the sole duty of government agencies or environmental organisations.
Meyase said human activities have severely damaged the environment, placing land, forests, oceans, wildlife and humanity itself at risk.
He said World Environment Day serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. Highlighting Nagaland’s rich natural resources, he urged students to adopt sustainable practices, including reducing plastic use, conserving water and electricity, planting trees and promoting environmental awareness.
Meyase also outlined NEPED’s role in integrating conservation with sustainable livelihoods and noted that climate change is already affecting daily life through erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, landslides and declining biodiversity.
The programme concluded with a tree plantation and cleanliness drive.
Beisumpuikam Village, Peren: The Nagaland Zeliang People Organisation (NZPO), in collaboration with Ntangki National Park, Peren Forest Division and Mt. Pauna Biodiversity Conservation Forum, observed World Environment Day at Beisumpuikam Village on Friday.
Addressing the programme, Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang said Beisumpuikam holds a unique place in Nagaland’s conservation history due to its association with Ntangki National Park, the state’s only national park. Referring to the World Environment Day theme, he said conservation involves not only protecting forests and wildlife but also securing sustainable livelihoods for future generations.
Describing Ntangki National Park as one of Nagaland’s greatest natural assets, Zeliang highlighted its eco-tourism potential and said improved conservation measures and road connectivity could generate employment and support community development.
He urged village councils and youth organisations to adopt firm measures against illegal logging, hunting and destructive fishing practices.
Zeliang also stressed the ecological importance of the wider Ntangki-Dhansiri landscape and called for cooperation in resolving land and boundary issues to strengthen conservation efforts.
Deputy Commissioner Peren, Hiazu Meru, highlighted the district’s progress under the Sustainable Development Goals, noting that Peren ranked 34th among 121 districts in the North East in the latest SDG India Index.
Expressing concern over environmental degradation, he said forest cover in the district had declined by 8.4 sq km and warned of the impact of illegal logging and riverbed mining on local ecosystems.
Meanwhile, reports of World Environment Day observances have also been received from various districts, sub-divisions, educational institutions, and organisations.