By H H Mohrmen
The state government deserves a pat on the back for its move to plant more than one million tree saplings on World Environment Day (June 5), but some are questioning the sincerity of the MDA in the entire act. There are people who are of the opinion that the government’s call to plant a million trees on this auspicious day is just hype and for the sake of record only. It is argued that everything will end the next day after the news is carried by the media. Then, considering the situation we are in now, the other pertinent question to ask is: Is mere planting of tree saplings enough to save the earth?
Trees were planted since the World Environment Day was first celebrated and trees were planted after that too, and, if the records of all the saplings that were planted were to have been maintained, the numbers would surely have crossed the million mark. But the big question is how many of those plants which were planted to celebrate the Day actually survived? The reason that most of the trees planted did not survive is because there is no follow up on the growth of the trees after they were planted. The government may, of course, argue that this time around it is different because they are ensuring community participation to take care of the saplings after they are planted.
The success of this arrangement is also questionable because of the kind of local grass roots administration that we have in the state. We have several instances where trees were planted and communities were involved to protect the saplings but when the new Rangbah Shnong takes over from the previous one, the whole focus shifted because his priorities are different. The survival of the saplings is crucial because we have too many instances where plantations become a waste of time and energy.
Take for instance the different afforestation projects executed by both the Soil and Water Conservation Department and the different branches of the Forest Department and even by the Forest Departments of the Autonomous District Councils. The question is – what the status of these re-afforestation projects? What is the survival rate of the trees planted vide these projects in the entire state? All those who are engaged in these activities know very well that the main culprit which is the major cause for the failure of these projects are forest fires. People in the state and the Khasi Pnar people in particular have this penchant to start forest fires and burn the whole hill and sometime the entire mountain range for no reason at all.
Earlier the argument was that forest fires were deliberately started to help grass sprout faster for the animals to graze on. After the dry winter spell animals long for fresh saps of grass but the fact is even without intervention too, nature will continue with its cycle and grass will bud in time. Hence if the government is serious in its effort to see that the trees planted really grow, it needs to find out ways and means to control forest fires. Until and unless people see the grave damage of starting forest fires, chances of the survival of the saplings will also be very less. In fact if there are no forest fires, there is no need to plant trees at all, nature in its own unique way has its own means of regenerating and replenishing itself in the miraculous cycle of life and death.
Greta Thunberg the teenage climate activist said that we have reached a situation where we are no longer fighting against climate change but we have reached a stage of climate emergency. We do not have much time anymore and we must act now. Surely planting trees is one step which will help mitigate climate change, but since we are in an emergency situation we need to think of other ways which would help stop climate change. Time warrants that we stop this mad leap to self destruction and the time to act is now. One important and effective way to stop climate change which can have immediate impact is by reducing the use of fossil fuels which is the major cause of the increase in the earth’s temperature. We need to think of alternative ways to replace coal and also to look for ways to reduce the use of gasoline. But what has the government done on this front?
If the Chief Minister is really serious in his desire to protect the environment he should first reduce the numbers of vehicles following him as part of his cavalcade and more importantly he himself should refrain from using SUVs which guzzle gasoline like a water running down the pipe. He should also discourage his colleagues in the Government from buying those fancy sport cars for government use which consume petrol like ‘u Thlen’ and in turn cause damage to the environment. The Government should reduce the numbers of vehicles used by ministers and high ranking bureaucrats. We therefore hope that we will not only see many trees in the near future, but we will also see less number of vehicles in the CM’s entourage the next time he moves in our neighbourhood.
But the most important point that makes one question the Government’s attitude or question the seriousness of its approach towards protecting the environment is when it comes to the mining issue. When we talk about mining be it coal or limestone mining, it is obvious that Conrad Sangma’s heart is in two places. He has a strong desire to protect the environment but he also wants mining (particularly of coal) to continue as usual. He is in a Catch-22 situation and people sympathise with him. Protecting the environment and extraction of minerals are diametrically different things and like they say the twain shall never meet. Conrad must decide which side he is on. Is he for extracting fossil fuels or for protecting the environment? Unfortunately, he can only choose one option because he cannot have the cake and eat it too
If the same Government which is organising the planting of more than a million trees is also fighting a court case to allow coal mining to continue in the state, then it is in a situation where it has misplaced priorities or it does not know where its priorities lie. The government should set its priorities right and come clear on this and help the citizens of this state understand where it stand is in matters relating to the environment and mining.
Another important question is – What has the Government done throughout the year? Saving the environment is not a one day affair; it should also reflect on the government’s attitude towards the vital issues in the entire year. Is there any endeavour on the part of the government to control the use of electricity and paper? What happened to the Government’s plastic ban? Or what about the waste management project introduced in certain areas of Shillong?
Ultimately Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has to decide whether he wants to count how many of the trees he plans to grow or how many coal and limestone trucks pass through the check gates in the state. No doubt it is a tough decision to make, but the decision has to be made. It’s now or never!