Governor Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar on Wednesday stressed the importance of planting native species.
He also called for avoiding monoculture during plantation drives, stating that such practices lead to ecological imbalance.
Speaking at a tree plantation programme held on the premises of Meghalaya Assembly at Mawdiangdiang here, the Governor stressed the need to conserve medicinal plants, especially endangered species.
Calling Meghalaya the “heaven of India,” the Governor reminded the gathering of the state’s unique biodiversity and its responsibility to preserve it. “What is our responsibility to bring back the ecological balance?” he asked, urging collective action.
The plantation drive was organised by the Meghalaya Assembly in collaboration with the Forest Department.
Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma announced that each tree planted will bear the names of legislators. He said tagging the names of legislators will symbolise a long-lasting pledge towards a greener Meghalaya.
“The new Assembly complex is envisioned not just as a symbol of legislative progress, but as a green, sustainable space that echoes our ecological values,” he said.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, Deputy Speaker Timothy D Shira and several MLAs also took part in the event.
Sangma termed the plantation initiative as a historic and symbolic act in the face of the global fight against climate change. He highlighted the state’s success under the ‘One Citizen One Tree’ initiative, which led to the planting of nearly two crore trees across Meghalaya.
He urged all MLAs to nurture the tree saplings.
The Chief Minister inspected the progress of the works of the assembly building and informed that while certain technical aspects of the main hall are pending due to sound and security requirements, the project is nearing completion and expected to be operational soon.
