By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: About 70 volunteers of the NSS units of St.Edmund’s College and Seng Khasi College planted 200 tree saplings along the Mylliem Marbaniang Main Road on Saturday as part of the Van Mahotsav programme.

T.T.C.Marak, PCCF, Meghalaya while lauding the organizers for such programmes, urged the local community to preserve and protect the scenic beauty of Shillong and its outskirts.

RV Lyngdoh, MLA, urged the NSS to take up other awareness programmes as well to every corner of the constituency and the state as well. He said that rampant felling of trees due to mining and quarrying in the area has depleted the water sources and water points and led to severe water shortage in the area. He stressed on preserving few green belts as the area is a major watershed for most rivers in the state.

Dr.S.Lamare, the principal of St.Edmund’s College suggested to the organizers that fruit trees would be a better option for plantation as it gives economic benefits apart from maintaining the green belt and also it can withstand severe climatic conditions.