SHILLONG: With the state grappling with environmental degradation, Forest and Environment Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has said that farmers should stop the practice of jhum cultivation and rampant deforestation.
Rymbui pointed out that initiatives should be taken to strike a balance between the need of man and nature, adding that jhum cultivation does not bring any sustainable income to the farmers or the people.
He said that farmers should focus on horticulture and other agricultural produce to avoid jhum cultivation.
Informing that the state has launched various agricultural missions such as the mushroom and the jackfruit missions to name a few, the minister urged the farmers to grab the opportunities provided to them.
“We want to uplift farmers for a better livelihood while also ensuring protection of the environment,” he said.
He informed that he attended a programme at Nokrek recently where the Nokma said that jhum cultivation should be stopped.
Rymbui said the Meghalaya Biodiversity Board is compiling a list of endangered plants endemic to Meghalaya.
He stated that the species of plants are listed as endangered due to a change in climate and said that people should not exploit the medicinal plants or any other plants to the point where they become extinct.
Rymbui pointed out that the environment has become a critical issue while lauding Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for the initiative to plant one million trees on World Environment Day.
He said the planting of trees will be a continuous process and maintained that the success of the initiative will depend on the citizens to take care of the trees.
He said, “I am happy that even school children have realised the importance of trees and protection of the environment”.
