SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma set a precedence by walking from his residence at 3rd Mile to the U Soso Tham Auditorium where a programme to celebrate World Environment Day was organised on Tuesday.
“Although it was far it was a beautiful walk,” the chief minister said.
During his walk, Sangma interacted with students from different schools across the state.
Sangma said the office of the chief minister has been made a plastic-free zone and the same will be expanded to include the entire secretariat in the future.
Speaking at the programme on the theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’, Sangma emphasised the need to take a proactive role towards preserving and protecting the environment.
“I would like to ask each and every citizen of our state to start contributing at an individual level. If you start something and set an example others will follow,” he added. The ‘One Citizen One Tree’ campaign was also launched at the function where each citizen is urged to adopt one tree and also nurture and care for it.
“If you adopt a tree you are taking care of the quota of oxygen that is being provided to you. It is a very simple concept but I think it will go a long way in creating a sense of ownership and drive the point of caring for the environment forward in a very positive manner,” the chief minister added.
The Chief Minister also said the Renewable Energy Department has been intimated to install solar panels to cater to the green energy needs of the Chief Minister’s Office, which will be subsequently scaled to include other offices in the future.
The first batch of the stationery manufactured from recycled paper was also unveiled at the function.
Referring to the concept of reducing, reusing and recycling, Sangma urged everyone to use resources judiciously.
The function was organised by MBDA and the Forest and Environment Department. Prizes were also distributed to winners of various video making competitions and eco-clubs of different schools.
