World Environment Day celebrated in Meghalaya

TURA: The Territorial Division of the Soil and Water Conservation Department, West Garo Hills, in collaboration with Rongram C&RD Block, celebrated the World Environment Day with this year's theme 'Only One Earth' at scenic Sakal A.duma village in the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve on Saturday, where the officials from the line departments, the Nokmas of the region, the students from different schools and the villagers of surrounding villages like Sasatgre, Chandigre, Daribokgre, Dura Kalakgre, Baladinggre and Dura Sakalgre participated and North Tura MLA and Thomas A Sangma, the Chief Adviser to the Meghalaya Chief Minister, graced occasion as the chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Thomas said that there is no other planet like earth where life exists and even the human beings may become endangered species one day if misuse of nature and the natural environment continues. While seeking cooperation and support towards preserving the natural environment, he also urged the people to save the declining forest cover and disturbed ecological balance. To maintain clean environment, he stressed on the need to take responsibility by way of reduce, re-use and recycle.

He also informed that the State Government has sent project proposals to the Central Government to rejuvenate the rivers in the State. Stating that the tourists started pouring in to Nokrek Biosphere Reserve to enjoy Nature, he added that in future, petrol and diesel-based vehicles will be allowed entry up to only Chandigre, from where the people visiting the biosphere reserve will be ferried by electric vehicles.

The guest of honour of the day, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Swapnil Tembe, in his speech, asked the people of the region to plant trees and to take care of the planted trees and assured the help and support of the district administration through the Community Led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP), MBDA, etc. Stating that the area has huge tourism potential, he requested the interested youth of the region avail the scheme for home-stays under the Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) being implemented by the District Commerce and Industries Centre (DCIC). He also informed that he will take up Sasatgre as his model village as he has taken up Daribokgre as his model village while he was Deputy Commissioner of East Garo Hills.

The Nokma of Sasatgre A.king land, Denithson R Marak, while speaking on the occasion, sought the cooperation of the Nokmas of other A.king lands to save and preserve the water catchment areas of the region. Late on the day, the chief guest inaugurated the Water Harvesting Structure constructed by the Soil and Water Conservation Department and funded by the NABARD.

The Divisional Officer of the Territorial Division of the Soil and Water Conservation Department, Charseng Ch Marak, while delivering the welcome address, informed the gathering that the department will take up afforestation in 250 hectares of deforested land.

The Soil and Water Conservation Officer, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, Helthing R Sangma, proposed the vote of thanks on the day, stated a press release.

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