TURA: World Environment Day was observed in Tura on Tuesday at Chandmary Playground as part of which, a procession was organized by the Tura Municipal Board where different development committees of the town, school children and citizens participated holding placards with slogans for preservation and protection of the environment.
South Tura MLA and former MP, Agatha K Sangma who was the Chief Guest on the occasion said that protection of the environment has always been close to her heart and as a public representative she was committed to ensure its protection. Raising concern on over dependence and use of plastic products, which is the main cause of pollution today, she highlighted the philosophy of three Rs, Reduce, Re-cycle and Re-use which according to her will minimize pollution to a great extent.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh said that there are seemingly century old trees surviving in the hills of Garo Hills which he termed as a blessing and urged the people to preserve and not destroy them. On the chaotic and congested traffic snarls being experienced in Tura Town today, the DC urged people to minimize the use of their vehicles but instead try walking and cycling which is also beneficial to health.
As part of the programme, Green and Blue bucket bins for segregation of bio-degradable and non-degradable solid domestic wastes were also distributed to the residents through their respective development committees.
The occasion was also observed at the Don Bosco College of Teacher Education in Tura in a function organized by the District Administration and Don Bosco College, Tura in collaboration with the IBDLP Basin Development Unit.
South Tura MLA, Agatha K Sangma who was also the Chief Guest on the occasion in the presence of district officials and prominent citizens while dwelling on the need to save the environment highlighted the need to repeat the cycle and plant for future generations as the food we eat today has been planted by our forefathers.
She said that ban on plastic is crucial and urged everyone to find a way to minimise use of products packed in plastics. While reminding the role and responsibility of each person in protecting the environment, she advised everyone to consume foods that are available locally and grown by using organic manure which would also promote the farmers in the long run and make the people healthy.
Basing on “One Citizen One Tree Campaign –gift a sapling”, the Chief Guest also distributed saplings to all the dignitaries present including teachers and students of Don Bosco College during the programme.
At Resubelpara, a function to mark the occasion was held at the Multi Facility Centre where district Deputy Commissioner, S C Sadhu was the Chief Guest.
A persuasive message under the theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ on reducing use of plastic and restoration of nature by bringing positive changes to the environment was advocated by the Chief Guest on the occasion.
The occasion was observed in East Garo Hills at Williamnagar DRDA Hall by the District Administration.
ADC, Saljong K Marak who was the Chief Guest on the occasion urged the gathering to keep the localities, markets and rivers plastic free and stressed on the need to avoid the use of plastic.
A green pledge was taken as well as saplings planted in the premises of different schools and colleges in and around Williamnagar as part of the programme.
The occasion was also observed at Bajengdoba in NOrth Garo Hills by local pressure groups like the FKJGP, FAF, GSU and Mothers’ Union. Local MLA Pongseng Marak was the Chief Guest on the occasion and led the gathering in the planting of around 500 saplings at different locations in the area.
In South West Garo Hills, the occasion was jointly celebrated by the Department of Forests & Environment, Social Forestry Division, West Garo Hills and Basin Development Unit, South West Garo Hills beside the Chenga-Benga Lake at Gandhipara near Garobadha.
Participating in the celebration as the chief guest, South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, H D B Sangma led the gathering in taking the Green Pledge and distributed saplings to the school children. She also handed over dustbins for bio-degradable and non-degradable wastes to the members of the Chenga-Benga Tourism Development Committee as part of the district launch of One Citizen One Tree Campaign, Reduce, Reuse & Recycle Campaign and Nature Education Camps in line with the State-wide launch of the same in Shillong on World Environment Day.
Dwelling on the theme of the day, the Deputy Commissioner highlighted on the adverse effects of plastic pollution and spelt out easy ways to reduce use of plastics at individual level like carrying shopping bags to market and sensitizing bazaar committees to make alternative arrangements to stop use of plastics and not to accept any plastic items from the market if they are not reusable.