SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said he was planning to start the concept of net metering on a pilot basis and also to power a lot of his office areas by solar energy.
The Chief Minister attended a two-day national seminar on “Environment consciousness and sustainability: to know globally and act locally” organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Lady Keane College in association with Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) on Wednesday.
He stressed on the need to promote green business models and encourage entrepreneurial activities that will have minimal impact on the environment while creating opportunities for employment and economic growth.
“By making lifestyle changes at an individual level and use of environmentally-friendly products we can create a demand for ‘green’ products which will in turn encourage environmentally conscious businesses to grow,” he said.
Sangma called for the participation of all citizens while stressing the need of environmental protection for sustainable future.
The Chief Minister was impressed with the environment initiatives taken up by the college and the students to sensitise the community on different environmental concerns.
He urged the college authorities to extend these initiatives by partnering with other institutions and even the government to create a common platform working towards the noble cause of protecting the environment, collectively.
Referring to the key note address delivered by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), C.P. Marak, Sangma also emphasised on community participation to preserve Meghalaya’s green cover which is one of the highest in the country.
“Community Forests are a very critical part of our State’s ecology and it is an example of what we can achieve when all of us get together and participate to work consciously as a group to protect the environment,” he said.
Sangma exhorted the gathering to imbibe in their life the concept of three Rs- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
He told the gathering about the initiative of the government to use eco-friendly recycled products and renewable resources to meet the energy demands of the offices.
The Chief Minister also urged the citizens of Meghalaya to join in his campaign ‘walk with me’ to reduce their carbon footprint.