SHILLONG: A pre-celebration of the World Environment Day was witnessed in every nook and cranny of the state on Wednesday with active participation of the people.
As part of the Meghalaya One Citizen One Tree campaign for the celebration of the World Environment Day, the Soil and Water Conservation Department, Government of Meghalaya, through collaborative efforts with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Regional Office, are making efforts to plant a million tree saplings across 11 districts under the Project on Springshed Development funded under the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC), as part of the initiative to protect vulnerable springs and rejuvenate their catchments/recharge areas.
At a cost of Rs 4.11 crore, the tree planting in 306 springsheds is a component under ‘Afforestation measures’ of the programme.
The project envisages to address the challenges and the threat to the springs of the state, which are the source of water, and to ensure sustained yield and availability, especially during the lean, dry months.
The project is being implemented on participatory approach with active involvement of the people at the grass-root level ensuring its sustainability.
Meanwhile, World Environment Day was celebrated in NEIGRIHMS on Tuesday by the Department of Hospital Administration in collaboration with Junior Chamber International (JCI).
Blue and green coloured buckets for segregation of non-biodegradable and bio-degradable domestic waste were handed over to the chief sanitation officer by the director and medical superintendent, NEIGRIHMS, for distribution in the NEIGRIHMS households.
A tree plantation drive was also organised in the campus wherein more than hundred trees were planted in and around the campus.
Under the programme Jahan Hariyali wahan Kushali which translates to ‘where there is greenery there is happiness’, JCI Shillong Pine City donated trees to the organisation.
Synod College, in collaboration with the PA Sangma Foundation and Meghalaya Basin Development Authority, will organise a two-day international seminar on ‘Understanding water crisis: The way forward’ starting Thursday in the college auditorium Chief Minister Conrad Sangma as its chief guest.
Special lecture will also be delivered by Magsaysay awardee Rajendra Singh, popularly known as ‘Water Man of India’, and Arvind Kumar who is the president of India Water Foundation.
Furthermore, the NSS unit of Lady Keane College in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, on Tuesday conducted a free vehicular pollution test at the additional secretariat parking lot as part of the World Environment Day celebration thematised on air pollution.
The programme witnessed the showcasing of posters and slogans made by the NSS volunteers as well as performances by the Khasi Traditional Music students of the college. More than one hundred vehicles were tested by the staff of the Pollution Control Board and certificates were issued to all.
The students of Holy Child Higher Secondary School on Wednesday also celebrated World Environment Day where the students conducted a cleaning drive across the streets of Demthring. A cultural programme was also held wherein the students performed various items to spread environment-related awareness. The programme concluded with planting of trees in the school campus.
Meanwhile, the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) has pledged to create a green campus by planting more than 500 varieties of trees, mostly herbal medicine plants in its premises on the eve of World Environment Day.
The university has also extended its support to the state government’s mission to plant 1.5 million trees on Wednesday and create a Guinness World Record.
Participating in the tree plantation campaign, chancellor of USTM Mahbubul Hoque said the university has been planning to promote a herbal medicinal garden in the near future in a way that people could have access to different medicinal plants from around the world.
The College of Teacher Education (PGT), in collaboration with Shillong Golf Club and Shillong Municipal Board, conducted a cleaning drive ‘Pick the Trash’ at Shillong Golf course on Tuesday on the account of World Environment Day.
With East Khasi Hills manifesting its active participation in the pre-World Environment Day celebration, the district administration of West Khasi Hills, under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner T Lyngwa along with his officers and the member of the town committee, decided a cleaning drive of Nonbah River Nongstoin and the urban areas. The district forest officer, in collaboration with the district administration, will also observe the day with a tree plantation drive at Mawsmai-Mawkhlam-Nongpyndeng areas where around 5,000 saplings will be planted.
The Dorbar Shnong of Nohwet, on the other hand, observed World Environment Day by inaugurating a bamboo bridge and planting of trees and flowers.
