Meghalaya marked World Environment Day today with the release of two mission documents for a clean and litter-free Shillong.
The mission documents are Mission Clean Shillong 2027 – Litter-free, pristine rivers and pure air and Building a Climate Resilient Green Economy.
Clean Shillong 2027 outlines a roadmap to make the capital city clean, litter-free, and prepared to host the National Games 2027.
Building a Climate Resilient Green Economy presents a strategic vision for integrating environmental priorities into the state’s economic planning, with a focus on resilience and sustainability.
Urban Affairs Commissioner & Secretary, Vijay Kumar D said that the mission places strong emphasis on citizen participation, improved infrastructure, and technologically led solutions to make Shillong a national model of urban cleanliness.
During the celebration, more than 1,000 ornamental trees, including Cherry Blossoms, Jacaranda, and Gul Mohor, were planted during an avenue plantation drive at Ummir, New Shillong.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma during his speech said under the Green Meghalaya initiative, more than 50,000 hectares of forest have already been conserved. “The government now aims to expand this to 1 lakh hectares through the upcoming GREEN Plus programme. These efforts aim to involve communities directly in protecting forests and water sources, while also improving livelihoods,” he said.
He said the World Environment Day theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution,” underscores the urgency of reducing plastic.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar commended the Shillong Municipal Board for the tireless efforts in maintaining cleanliness across the city. He acknowledged the board’s proactive role in driving the Clean Shillong campaign, which has led to visible improvements in waste management, public participation, and civic discipline.
Chief Secretary Donald P Wahlang stressed the importance of ensuring access to clean drinking water in public spaces and proposed the installation of water ATMs across key urban locations.
The Dorbar Shnong of Nongrim Hills also participated in the programme and highlighted the importance of encouraging the protection of sacred forests, which hold deep ecological and cultural significance for local communities.
The Commissioner & Secretary said the government plans to plant 10,000 trees across New Shillong, which he said is a decisive step toward transforming the city into a greener and more vibrant urban space for the residents and tourists alike.
Awards were also presented to 14 schools and 10 localities in recognition of their contributions to environmental awareness, cleanliness, and community engagement. Educational institutions were evaluated on parameters such as student involvement, campus upkeep, and innovative practices while localities were assessed for their waste management systems and overall cleanliness.
In addition, PES beneficiaries were honoured for their exceptional efforts in forest and ecosystem conservation. Awards were presented to 14 villages and seven individual beneficiaries under various categories for their outstanding performance and commitment to environmental protection.
