SHILLONG, Aug 20: Seeking to offset any adverse impact on the environment through limestone mining, the Dorbar Shnong of Nongtrai village in collaboration with Lafarge Umiam Mining Private Limited (LUMPL) organised an eco-restoration drive around the village on Friday. The event coincided with the observance of ‘Environment Day’ by schools in the neighbouring villages.
Rangbah Shnong of Nongtrai, Pynshai Rapmai and his team of office-bearers were present at the function while Lafarge was represented by its Director, Corporate Affairs, George Chacko and Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Communications etc., Orynica Dhar.
Lafarge has been supporting a number of higher secondary schools and also providing scholarships to students for higher studies as part of its CSR.
During the event, the company felicitated students who had performed well in their studies and they included school and college students including those that are already studying for their professional courses such as engineering, medicine besides other courses in Shillong and outside the state.
Teaming up with Lafarge and Nongtrai Dorbar was the Deputy Director General, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, Imtienla Ao who also distributed jute bags among the women of the village.
In line with the theme of this year’s World Environment Day “Beat Plastic Pollution”, the bright-eyed students assembled at the swanky community hall had put up paintings etc., in line with the theme. They responded to questions and were well aware of the diminishing returns of plastic pollution.
The community hall constructed by the special purpose vehicle (SPV) committee out of the funds set aside by Lafarge as part of the eco-restoration and livelihoods goals of the residents around the mining area, is an example of money well spent. The multipurpose hall is a class in itself and stands out in that village.
Addressing the students and their parents, Orynica said Lafarge has ventured into orange tree plantation in a big way. “When we started work here in 2006 we found out that the dropout rate from the Upper Primary section was very high. In 2010 we teamed up with Nongtrai Proceeding School which is now a secondary school and is in the process of getting recognition. We are trying to organise a systematic waste management facility in the village,” she said.
Chacko informed the gathering that Lafarge has been maintaining its mines at 5-star level and ploughs back double the profit to address the needs of people around the mining area. He said that the next goal is to start a college in Nongtrai and hopes that becomes a reality soon.
Ao reminded the students about the need to reuse things as much as is possible including text books so as to conserve trees. “We need to think collectively. If out of 140 crore Indians, 10 crore people every day use single-use plastics how much of plastics is that and where will it go other than into our rivers and finally into the sea.”
Speaking about the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) project launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ao said, “Climate Change can be reversed if all of us determine to take small steps and remember the 3 Ps — Pro Planet People. We have to be soldiers for the environment.”
Ao also urged the SPV to assess the needs of the village communities and prioritise them. Accompanying Ao was DFO, MoEF, Letitia Syiemiong.
The Rangbah Shnong of Nongtrai and his team then led the way for a plantation drive at a nearby forest where students also took part.
Rapmai urged the students not to just plant a sapling and forget about it but to nurture them until they grew into tall trees. The students enthusiastically took part in the plantation drive.
