Forest and environment minister, James PK Sangma today said that the government is cooperating and collaborating with communities to ‘use nature to solve nature’s problem’.
He said Phytoremediation method to detoxify the Lukha river is one such example. Here Algae was used to remove major toxic contents from the water to improve the pH balance of the river.
Stating that in the last three years, the government has transitioned from just regulating the acts and rules to design out of the box solutions and interventions the minister urged upon each individual to shoulder the responsibility along with the government to tackle climate change by working towards restoration of nature’s valuable resources and to rededicate ourselves to save our planet Earth.
Speaking at the Cherry Blossom trees plantation programme organised at the Shillong Golf Course as a run up to the Environment Week celebration, the minister lamented the dwindling forest cover of the State. He said forest has reduced by 73 sq kms and called on all stakeholders to start moving ahead to find solution on how to tackle climate change.
At the programme, cherry trees were planted at the Golf Course. Sangma said, “The planting of 1500 Cherry Blossom trees should relay a strong message to the citizens that climate change should be taken seriously.” He said save environment campaign should not end but celebrated everyday and everyone should imbibe the commitment and not on tokenism and symbolism.
The programme was organised by the Social Forestry & Environment Wing, Meghalaya, Shillong in collaboration with Shillong Club, Department of Sociology, Lady Keane College and Education Department, NEHU
Officials from the Forests Department, Shillong Golf Course, Shillong Club, various stakeholders and students took part in the tree plantation programme.
The highlight of the day was the distribution of Meghalaya Excellence Award for Environment Protection to Tambor Lyngdoh of Dongiewrim Mawphlang for his effort to protect and preserve the natural resources in private and community forests and to Ka Synjuk ki Hima Arliang Wah Umiam Mawphlang Welfare Society Dongiewrim Mawphlang for setting up of grassroot level organisation for motivating people in conserving the environment and promoting sustainable use of natural resources. The award carried a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh and a memento.
Prizes were also distributed to students who took part in the drawing, painting, elocution and slogan writing competition.
Meanwhile, the office of the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), District Project Management Unit (DPMU), East Khasi Hills District in collaboration with Meghalaya Model United Nations organised a debate Competition which saw the participation of eight schools at KJP Assembly Conference Hall.
