Mega tree plantation organized

SHILLONG, JULY 30 : A Mega Tree Plantation Festival under the Chief Minister’s Youth for Green Campaign Mission Green under the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme (IBDLP) was organized on Wednesday by the East Khasi hills Deputy Commissioner’soffice in collaboration with the Forest and Environment department and the Soil and Water Conservation department at Lait Thiepbah, near Mawphlang Sacred Grove, Mawphlang.

Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma, who was the chief guest on the occasion, was accompanied by the home minister Roshan Warjri, Chairperson of Meghalaya Employment Regeneration Council DD Shira, Government chief whip RV Lyngdoh, parliamentary secretary and local MLA Kennedy Khryiem, local MDC L Blah, chief secretary PBO Warjri and East Khasi hills deputy commissioner Sanjay Goyal.

The objective of the Mega Tree Plantation is to plant 70,0700 numbers of tree saplings in a single day i.e. on 30^th July 2014 within East Khasi hills district alone covering all the eight C&RD blocks under the district.

In Mawphlang Block about 22000 saplings were planted. The tree saplings planted include varieties of indigenous species like Champa, Eucalyptus, Neem, Pine, Silver Oak, Pooma, Hoolock, Alder and many others which are suitable to the climatic conditions of the region. Under this mission, efforts are also made to ensure sustainability of the plantation through various modes of intervention.

Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Mukul Sangma said that the Chief Minister’s Youth for Green Campaign was launched in 2012 with the main aim of involving the youth force in the efforts of the government to conserve and protect the environment particularly the forest areas.

Sangma said that Mission Green has a broad spectrum of approach for environment protection one of which is community participation where he urges upon the village community to enhance green cover within their village by planting trees in empty spaces, barren lands and school compounds. He also urges the heads of educational institutions to participate in this effort by raising tree nurseries in their schools and colleges so as to have a storehouse of tree saplings.

Sangma also announced another new initiative of the state government called ‘Mission Green’ through which efforts will be made to preserve and protect the environment. He informed that one of the components of Mission Green is the Mission Organic under which 20000 hectare of land has been identified during the year 2014-2015 for undertaking organic farming exclusively. This he said will cultivate the habit of consuming healthy organic food. He urges the farmers to extend their cooperation and also partner with the government in achieving the targets of Mission Green.

“Whatever our activities are, we should ensure that it does not have any adverse effect on the environment. Even farming nowadays is harmful not only to the environment but also to the people as pesticides, insecticides and un-natural fertilizers are used for better yield, these foods eventually ends up on our dinning tables and cause health problems”, said Sangma while advocating the practice of organic farming which is healthy and safe for the environment.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were home minister Roshan Warjri, government chief whip RV Lyngdoh, parliamentary secretary and local MLA, Kennedy Khryiem, chief secretary, PBO Warjri and East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner Sanjay Goyal.- By Our Reporter