SHILLONG: The Syntung Upper Primary and Secondary School observed World Environment Day under the Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) through the Office of District Planning Officer, East Khasi Hills District.
A cleaning drive was organised in the areas surrounding tourist spots such as Wah Rashi at Syntung village.
Beat Plastic Pollution for Soil Health: NESFAS
The NESFAS’ partner communities organised different activities to celebrate the World Environment Day. The focus of most of the activities led by the communities was to “Beat Plastic Pollution” in order to “Save Our Soils”.
The NESFAS has been constantly working on soil health for the past few years and they aimed at addressing this issue, especially in different schools and among the school children affiliated with NESFAS.
A drawing and painting competition directing creativity to “Beat Plastic Pollution” was organised at Fr. Henry Frassy M. Secondary School, Chandigre in West Garo Hills.
In Nongtraw Village, East Khasi Hills, the community hosted delegates from various regions of India for a Farmers’ Trip and commemorated the day by developing a pledge to “Save Our Soils”.
Students of Samanong LP School in West Jaiñtia Hills and Dewlieh LP/UP School, East Khasi Hills created several decorative items such as flowers, flower pots, cushions/pillows and planting bags out of discarded plastic material and their creativity was used for a cause.
The Social Service Centre (SSC) Shillong, NESFAS’ partner, also conducted an awareness programme on combating plastic pollution, among the schools in Jongksha, East Khasi Hills.
Saplings planted
The Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI), Meghalaya Branch, in collaboration with Divisional Soil and Water Conservation Office Shillong (T), East Khasi Hills District, Don Bosco Integrated Development Society organiaed a painting competition at Mawklot Village 20 km away from Shillong.
Students of two different schools participated at the painting competition based on ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’. More than 100 students participated in the painting competition.
W K Kharkongor, ASCO, Soil and Water Conservation Office, was the chief guest. The chief guest and YHAI officials along with the Chairman of YHAI, Meghalaya, village headman, principal, teachers as well as students planted more than 50 saplings in the village area.
Mementos and certificates were also distributed among the participants.
WJH park cleansing
As part of the World Environment Day celebration, the office of the District Legal Service Authority (DLSA), West Jaintia Hills District had in collaboration with the Fishery Department and Forest Department (Territorial Division) have taken an initiative to clean up the Nan Kasari Park which is the centre point of the Jowai town, that has been ignored for a long time and accumulated a lot of garbage.
D.S Marbaniang, Secretary DLSA said the main focus for taking up the cleaning of the Nan Kasari Park is to bring back the original status of the park which will add beauty to the town and its surrounding. He also said the cleanliness drive is to impart awareness to the responsibility of keeping public places clean.
Earlier a short progrmme was held at Dorbar Shnong Khimusniang community chaired Marbaniang.
The speakers E. Kharumnuid, District & Session Judge, West Jaintia Hills, D.H. Pde, Officer Incharge Traffic Branch, Jowai and F. Passah, Ranger, Forest Territorial, Jowai range and W. Surong, Advocate stressed on the need to do away with plastic polythene bags and pet bottles which is the main cause of destruction to environment.
Later the students of H.K Singh Higher Secondary School and Government Boys Higher Secondary School took part in the awareness rally from Khimusniang PHE till Nan Kasari Park carrying placards with messages to reduce the use of Plastics. The students also planted tree saplings and collecting plastics thrown on the road side.
DSP spots tourism potential of turtle sanctuary
A top police officer and a group of environmentalists visited the turtle sanctuary at Akuakgre in North Garo Hills on Wednesday, a day after the district celebrated World Environment Day by releasing two rescued turtles in the natural habitat.
DSP (Crime) VN Sangma said with militancy coming to an end, the area can be a suitable tourist destination. The police officer and the experts appealed to the locals to save the endangered species of turtles and other animals found in the region.
The team then visited Bindaram M Momin, the winner of the Best Bee Keeper Award of Meghalaya. They encouraged bee-keeping and suggested ideas.