Plantation drives mark ‘World Environment Day’ in Nagaland

EM Bureau
Dimapur/Kohima, June 4 (EMN): Various organisations including educational institutions across Nagaland observed the ‘World Environment Day’ by organising plantation drives. ‘World Environment Day’ is observed on June 5 to spread awareness about the threat to the environment due to rising pollution levels and climate change. It is the UN's most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of the environment.

Since it began in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries.

Dimapur: Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), in collaboration with Act of Kindness, organised a plantation drive at the State Stadium, near the DC Court Junction, Dimapur, on Saturday on the theme “Only one earth.”

The founder and president of Act of Kindness Society, Lenti Aier, informed that around 200 saplings would be given to all the participants who came from different colleges, schools and villages. She asked the participants to take the saplings to their respective places and plant them.

Bano Haralu, social activist and special guest of the programme, shared that the world could only be a better place depending on the decision and choice they make today. She added that the decision they make for change would have an impact on their lives and the world.

“It is not a choice between the best but it is a choice of the degree of discomfort and danger and insecurity that we will face on this planet if we do not make some lifestyle changes,” she said.

Imojungla Longkumer, district coordinator of DWSM, PHED, Dimapur, delivered a keynote address and stressed on the dry and waste segregation.

Kohima: St. Mary’s Cathedral Higher Secondary School in Kohima observed 'World Environment Day' on Friday at the school premises with the commissioner of Nagaland, Rovilatuo Nicholas Mor, as the special guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Mor has stressed that the environment conditions human life, determines one's health. He added that health determines the wealth of every person and the whole world.

Shilu, a teacher and the school's environmentalist, spoke on the theme "Only one earth" and stated that life is found only in one planet - the mother earth. She reminded the students about their bounden duty to protect her (earth) to sustain every life.

On the occasion, a special re-cycle training was conducted by Sukho Movi, a recipient of the Governor's gold medal.

The event was also marked with slogan writing, speech, drawing and flower show competitions while tree saplings were planted around the school's surroundings.

AFAN: Amur Falcon Adventure Nagaland (AFAN), Wokha, in collaboration with Doyang Beat of Wokha Forest Division, organised a plantation-cum-cleanliness drive at Doyang Resort Area on June 4. An update from AFAN informed that ‘After 20’s, a lady band from Wokha and volunteers from Thiyillong village joined the plantation drive.

Around 250 tree saplings were planted at the Doyang resort area.

AKTK: The Ao Kaketshir Telongjem Kohima (AKTK) conducted a cleanliness drive at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, on June 4 on the theme "Today's measure for tomorrow's treasure - preserve, protect and prosper."

A press release from AKTK president stated that the members cut and removed weeds and garbage from the area. He also stated that the drive was conducted to create awareness on the importance of keeping the public areas clean and to spread the message that it was everyone's responsibility to keep the city, surroundings, and places of public clean and litter free.

TFD: Tuensang Forest Division (TFD) observed the World Environment Day with MLA Toyang Changkong Chang as the special guest on June 3. Samom Khelen Singh, Divisional Forest Officer of Tuensang, highlighted the importance of the day, while Toyang Chang highlighted the laws enacted to protect and conserve forest areas and wildlife.

Toyang also requested the public to judiciously use natural resources so that future generations do not suffer. The MLA and representatives from other constituencies also planted tree saplings and distributed plant saplings.

MFD: Mokokchung Forest Division under Changtongya Beat, in collaboration with RD department, organised an event in celebration of WED at Changtongya Beat Office on June 1. The event was attended by village council chairmen and VDB secretaries of all the villages under Changtongya beat, an update informed.

A short message was delivered by Moamongba, Ranger, wherein he highlighted the need and importance of an eco-friendly village. After the event, a green pledge to conserve water and energy, avoid use of polythene, segregate waste for recycling and planting of trees during special occasions was also taken.

SWCD: Soil and Water Conservation department, Zunheboto, celebrated the day at District Nursery in Vekuho village. The department planted cherry trees along the nursery approach road and boundary areas.  A total of 50 cherry trees and other local tree species were planted by the department staff.

MBHSS: Ministers Hill Baptist Higher Secondary School (MBHSS) observed the day on June 4 by organising an awareness programme. The Eco Club presented various innovative ideas and solutions for a sustainable living followed by a plantation drive.

GBUD: GB’s Union Dimapur (GBUD) organised a tree plantation programme at New Naga Cemetery in Zani village. The event was held jointly with Naga Council Dimapur, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Ronika Miachieo (Environmentalist) and Amos Ezung, chief manager of waste management.

SCC: Salt Christian College organised a cleanliness and plantation drive in East Police Colony, Dimapur. The plantation drive was participated by the students, teachers of the college and residents of the colony.

UCTE: Unity College of Teacher Education, Dimapur, observed the day by conducting a seminar and open quiz. A street play was also performed in the college premises by the II semester student-teachers under the supervision of V Uto Chishi, assistant professor.

MITE: Modern Institute of Teacher Education (MITE), Kohima, observed the day at the college auditorium on June 4. The event was organised by the Ecological Club and Aesthetic Club, wherein Chose Neihu gave an exposition on the theme. The Ecological Club and Aesthetic Club members also presented saplings to the college for plantation.

Sunrise colony: Sunrise colony, Burma Camp, Dimapur also marked the day by planting hundreds of neem and ornamental trees in the colony.

NPR Lotha Union: New Police Reserve Lotha Union, in collaboration with the Forest department, Kohima division, organised a tree plantation drive within its jurisdiction on June 4 on the theme "Plant a tree today; it will help us breathe tomorrow."

Speaking on the occasion, the ADGP (ADM), Renchamo P Kikon, appreciated the members for organising a tree plantation drive on the eve of World Environment Day. He also urged upon the community to render selfless contributions towards the society in the near future.

On the occasion, the members planted about seven hundred tree saplings including peepal tree, silver oak, pine, cherry and black berry.