Meghalaya Fortunate In Terms of Fresh Air: World Environment Day

SHILLONG: “World must make a commitment this year on Environment Day to make air quality better everywhere. We have the solutions, we must act now”. These words resonate with the World Environment Day celebration across the globe.

The State of Meghalaya also celebrated World Environment Day in a befitting manner. In Shillong, a function was organized today by the Forest and Environment Department in collaboration with Shillong Golf Club, Police Training School, Mawroh and Dorbar Shnong Golflinks at Shillong Golf Club. The objective of the celebration is to encourage awareness and action to protect our environment. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Air Pollution”.

The chief guest of the day, Minister of Forests Lahkmen Rymbui said that air pollution is all around us even though it has not affected the State as much as in other cities of the country. Meghalaya citizens are fortunate enough to breathe in fresh air, he said. But in recent years, the State has witnessed some rather worrisome aspects of what the air around us really contains, and how it affects our bodies. For the longest time, we have taken the air we breathe for granted. And the more we learn, the more we come to realize that this essential source of life needs some serious taking care of. He expressed hoped that the World Environment Day 2019 will urge governments, industries, communities, and individuals to put their heads together to find solutions to tackle air pollution and improve air quality in cities and regions across the world.”

Health Minister AL Hek in his speech as the guest of honour said that people are more reluctant today to save the environment for their future and the young generations.

Although there are many acts in place in India which focus on repairing the quality of air, most of them are either forgotten or not being enforced properly, the minister lamented.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force CP Marak said that by and large, the air quality in Meghalaya is good barring the two industrial areas of Umiam and Byrnihat. He said that soon the State Pollution Control Board of Meghalaya and Assam will deliberate on how to tackle air pollution in Byrnihat to improve the air quality levels of the area.

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