SHILLONG, June 3: Forest and Environment Minister James Sangma has appealed to the youths to dedicate themselves to the green cause, while contending that every day should be celebrated as Environment Day.
James was speaking as the chief guest at a programme held as part of Meghalaya Environment Week in the city on Friday.
The Social Forestry & Environment Wing of the Forest & Environment department in collaboration with Shillong Club, Department of Sociology of Lady Keane College and Education Department of NEHU organised a programme at Shillong Golf Course.
As part of the programme, a total of 1,500 saplings of cherry blossom trees were planted at the golf course area.
The Minister, in his address, appealed to the youths to come up with innovative and nature-based solutions for safeguard of environment.
He said that as per the latest State of Forest Report 2019, the green cover in Meghalaya has reduced by 73 sq km. It is a reality which we need to accept and accordingly prepare ahead for the challenges, James added.
Touching upon the devastating impacts of declining forest cover on the environment and health of people, James, however, informed that that the state government has been coming up with out-of-the-box solutions and interventions to address the issue.
He backed his statement by citing the example of the revival of the Lukha river with the use of Phycoremediation (use of algae to treat wastes or wastewaters).
On the plantation of 1,500 saplings of cherry blossom trees, James said, “The planting of 1,500 saplings of cherry blossom trees should relay a strong message to the citizens that climate change should be taken seriously.”
As part of the programme, Meghalaya Excellence Award for Environment Protection was conferred upon Tambor Lyngdoh of Dongiewrim Mawphlang and Ka Synjuk ki Hima Arliang Wah Umiam Mawphlang Welfare Society Dongiewrim Mawphlang.
Prizes were also distributed to students who took part in the drawing, painting, elocution and slogan writing competitions.
Others who attended the programme include by students, officials, locals, et al.
