As happens every year, numerous government offices, schools, private organisations, etc planted saplings or carried out other activities to mark World Environment Day 2025 today.
In the heart of Shillong, the Committee on Environment of the State Assembly commemorated the day with a plantation programme in which the Deputy Speaker Timothy D Shira and committee members took part at the Secretariat Administrative Block of the Assembly premises at Khyndailad.
“Today, as the world observes Environment Day, we reflect on India’s deep-rooted tradition of environmental consciousness. Even during Emperor Ashoka’s reign in 268 BC, citizens were encouraged to plant trees along roads for shade and ecological balance. Unfortunately, our forests have suffered significant degradation. This plantation initiative is crucial to restoring the environment, and it sets a strong example not just for urban citizens, but also for our rural communities,” Shira said.
At NEIGRIHMS, Chief Secretary Donald P Wahlang attended a plantation drive organised in collaboration with the Social Forestry and Environment Wing. He also highlighted the challenges in keeping the Wahumkhrah River clean, despite efforts such as placing barricades to prevent littering. Wahlang further expressed his delight in engaging with students and appealed to them to educate others about environmental conservation by conducting outreach programmes. He also urged teachers to facilitate these initiatives. Furthermore, he announced new initiatives to clean 17 drains in Shillong, which would improve water quality.
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) both organised their own tree plantation drives. The BSF planted 6,716 saplings across its Meghalaya field of operations. The initiative was led by Insp Gen OP Upadhyay. The CRPF, on the other hand, planted 2,360 saplings at the campus and surrounding areas of the 67th Battalion.
In Garo Hills, a tree plantation and cleaning drive were held in Resubelpara, North Garo Hills. In South West Garo Hills, an afforestation drive of local species was held in Betasing block on 63 acres of land donated by the A·king Nokma of Malchapara village. Other events took place at the DC’s office in Ampati, schools across the district and Rerapara block.
In Ri-Bhoi, the local ICAR-KVK celebrated World Environment Day in nine villages on how to end plastic pollution (this year’s WED theme) and by planting trees. The office of the District Medical and Health Officer also held an event at Ri-Bhoi College to raise awareness about environmental conservation and the health implications of plastic usage. The program commenced with a tree plantation drive. There was also a special awareness programme at St Francis D’Assisi Higher Secondary School in Umbir, which was organised by the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Shillong, and a tree plantation drive at Syllei-U-Lar Govt LP School organised by SOS Children’s Village Shillong.
In East Khasi Hills, NESFAS joined hands with the Laitsohpliah community to tackle plastic pollution and celebrate “traditional ecological knowledge”. Educational institutions also took part, ranging from NEHU’s Department of Environmental Studies down to Pynthorumkhrah LP School (through the Meghandini Mahila Samiti) and RainbowKids Preschool.
