SHILLONG, July 4: Padma Shri Jadav Payeng, the Forest Man of India, has emphasised the importance of biodiversity and the need to educate children about the significance of planting and nurturing trees. He envisioned children becoming ambassadors in the global movement to recreate a sustainable environment for a liveable planet Earth.
Payeng was here to attend the 16th Inaugural Day programme of IIM Shillong.
He urged parents to entrust their children to care for nature as it provides essential elements such as oxygen, sunlight, and more, nurturing them into worthy human beings. He urged the government to implement necessary measures to ban air rifles, thereby preventing the killing of birds. Several states have already taken action in this regard, he said.
Payeng highlighted that the Molai forest, which he initiated 42 years ago, now serves as a home to 115 elephants, tigers, leopards, rhinoceros, and other wildlife. The forest attracts 80% of Indian migratory birds. His dream project of connecting the Molai forest with Kaziranga National Park, a 60-km stretch, is currently in progress, furthering the cause of conservation and biodiversity.
He advocated planting sandalwood trees for environmental and economic benefits. Drawing examples from countries like China and Taiwan, he spoke on the need for India to increase its focus on cultivating sandalwood trees, known for their high value.
He urged India, with its rich biodiversity and favorable climatic conditions, to also embrace sandalwood plantation as a sustainable and economically viable initiative. The 16th Inaugural Day celebration featured a plantation drive led by the students and attended by various stakeholders. The event was graced by Prof DP Goyal, Director of IIM Shillong, who expressed his gratitude to all the participants of the plantation drive. He extended his congratulations to everyone who contributed to the growth and development of IIM Shillong since its inception.
In an important announcement, Prof Goyal declared that July 4 would be celebrated as Inaugural Day every year at IIM Shillong, with a special emphasis on conducting a plantation drive.
This initiative aims to foster a deep sense of responsibility towards nature and the environment among the institute& and the community, he said.
He urged all members of the IIM Shillong fraternity, and stakeholders to actively participate in and contribute to the plantation drive.
The plantation drive, received an overwhelming response from delegates, with some even bringing fruit trees from their own collections to contribute to the greenery at the campus.
The 16th Inaugural Day concluded with a commitment to environmental sustainability and a shared vision of creating a greener and more liveable planet for future generations.
