World Environment Day celebrated

 

ITANAGAR, Jun 5:Chief Minister Pema Khandu today joined the school children in a tree sapling planting activity held in the Art of Living campus at Jollang village, organised by the state department of forest and environment to celebrate World Environment Day. 

About 200 students from six schools planted more than 300 trees particularly fruits trees in the campus.

 The Chief Minister said he was heartened by the participation of school children while addressing the audience in the campus auditorium. 

“When children are made part of the nature conservation efforts, it has positive impact in their life,” he said and spoke about the experience of his school days when he was exposed to similar outdoor activities to learn about wildlife and the environment. 

He said such exposure with nature helped him widen his perspective, increase curiosity and develop a practical understanding of why all things natural need to be conserved. 

He therefore urged the forest department to conduct nature conservation programmes in schools and colleges. 

Underlying the importance of natural world with tribal society, the Chief Minister said, “Our tribal culture is deeply intertwined with the nature – be it the puja or our way of living. Each tribe have unique relation with their natural environment, which makes our culture inseparable with the nature.” 

“Also Arunachal is known for its green cover, which enables us to receive extra grants from the Centre,” said the Chief Minister and called on the people to protect the nature. 

To gear up conservation efforts in the state, the Chief Minister said the onus lies not only with the department or the state government but with the people too. 

He informed that the department has been directed to use CAMPA funds for afforestation activities only and not to divert these funds for other activities. He also asked them to take up activities to develop wastelands with afforestation activities. 

He discouraged unplanned destruction in the name of development and urged all the departments to see that the development activities have minimal impact on nature. 

“When nature thrives – we all live – else we are doomed,” said the Chief Minister. 

Earlier in his speech, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said that this year’s theme “Connecting people to Nature” is quite appropriate. Narrating how human being have disconnected from the nature with the passage of time in the pursuit of development and comfort, he said “We have degraded the abundant natural resources like forest, animals, fish etc through our own degrading activities like rampant forest cutting, hunting and fishing”.

 He called to protect the environment from degrading further and appealed to take necessary corrective measures by minimizing forest degrading activities. 

He pitched for restricting hunting and fishing in “Shrine Areas” in the state and also to ban rampant fishing by means of explosives, poison, electric shocks, ect which are the major causes of day to day diminishing fish population in our rivers.  He also said that Kamlang Tiger Reserve is deteriorating day by day and it needs to be protected from further deterioration. 

He exhorted the students to spend time with the nature by participating in outdoor activities in between their studies and play outside instead of confining themselves within the four walls of the house in Computers, TVs and other electronic gadgets for refreshing their minds. He also requested the forest department to organize exposure tour to sanctuaries, parks and zoos for the students. This way they will expose themselves to the nature and would learn by seeing. 

Parliamentary Secretary for Forest and Environment, CT Mein in his speech stressed upon the need to protect and save our forests and should plant more and more trees to ameliorate the environment.

 Chief Secretary Shakuntala Gamlin, elaborated on the environmental issues concerning the climate change and the mitigatory measures to combat climate change. She told the audience to strike a balance between development and environmental conservation and both should go hand by hand.

 PCCF Omkar Singh in his welcome address highlighted the meaning and importance of this year’s theme “Connecting People to Nature” of World Environment Day, 2017.

 Later in the programme, the Chief Minister distributed prizes to the children who won in the essay and drawing competition. He also released a book, ‘Orchids of Arunachal’, a newsletter, ‘Arunachal Envis’ and a pocket book of laws for forest officers.

 Earlier in the morning, the day started with tree plantation by the Chief Minister and other dignitaries at Hollongi. It was followed by inauguration of Forest check gate at Hollongi by the Chief Minister, where he addressed the people of the area on importance of conservation of nature. 

Minister of UD & Town Planning, Nabam Rebia, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture & Fisheries, Tatung Jamoh and Arunachal Pradesh Forest Corporation Chairperson, Talo Mugli also attended the programme.

At ZIRO,

The Hapoli Forest Division, in collaboration with Apatani Students Union organized a Bicycle rally cum awareness program on various local environmental issues to mark the World Environment Day.  Flagging off the rally from Government Higher Secondary school ground, Parliamentary Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies Er. Tage Taki called upon the denizens of the beautiful valley to retrospect and start adopting measures to preserve and protect the environment from further degradation.

“The water level of the lone river of the valley, River Kley is 50 times less than it used to be 50 years back, which is a matter of serious concern.  Our rain fed rivers will dry up if deforestation is not controlled.  Intellectuals will have to brainstorm and guide the youths to adopt naturally viable development and economic activities.” he added.

He further advised against construction of commercial establishments in between the fields and catchment areas, as these could accelerate water pollution. The river Kley with very less turbulence is unable to carry away wastes disposed in it, and therefore such constructions could choke the river and destroy the aquatic life.

Deputy Commissioner Kemo Lollen suggested for discontinuing jhum cultivation and adopting alternate horticulture farming, which will not only augment economic development but also lessen deforestation. He also informed that the use of pesticides would be banned in the district.

Plantation drive at the Government Higher Secondary School compound was also carried out led by the MLA and DC.

At ANJAW,

The District Administration in collaboration with the Department of UD & H, observed the day by organizing a special awareness campaign on segregation of domestic solid wastes into Biodegradable and non-Biodegradable separately at source. Addressing the gathering as chief guest, DC in-charge, Anjaw, Rupir Siboh, advised people to keep the environment pollution free.  

Day long programme included power point presentation on SBM by Badapbiang Dkhar, who is monitoring Individual House Hold Toilet ( IHHT) implementation under Swachh Bharat Mission scheme for Anjaw district, felicitation of Ali Pul, a noted businessman, distribution of I Cards to street vendors under DAY_NULM and distributions of dustbins to public under SBM for segregation of Biodegradation and non- Biodegradable. 

At BOMDILA,

The World Environment Day was celebrated today at Government College campus, Wanghoo, Bomdila by planting of saplings by the Deputy Commissioner, ex-Minister, HoDs and officers from the forest department of Bomdila.

Deputy Commissioner Sonal Swaroop in her brief address reiterating on the importance of nature and its preservation and propagation said that, the existence of mankind depends on the nature. She urged the people to take a step ahead for a secure future and go for mass plantation.

Earlier, DFO Tasso Sira highlighting the importance of the occasion called upon the officers and the NGOs present to imbibe – ‘Each one plant one’ and to motivate the staffers and the students to make the world a better place to live in by planting trees as and where needed.

The World Environment Day was jointly conducted by the NGO Green Saviour, Bomdila and Bomdila Forest Division.

 

At AALO,

The Aalo Forest Division in collaboration with Army and Civil administration organised a plantation drive to mark World Environment Day at Aalo, Kamba, Kaying and Tato 
to make their surroundings green.
Brig JS Budhwar, Station Commander, Aalo inaugurated the drive by planting tree at Aalo Military Garrison. Mr Abhinav Kumar, District Forest Officer, Aalo with staff had taken 
the initiative to plant ornamental trees to further beautify the town and scenery along the roads leading to Mechuka and Panging.

Addressing the gathering, the Commander urged to raise the awareness level of locals about the importance of 
conservation of environment. This campaign helped in generating awareness among masses and channelizing energy of youth and children in a constructive way. 

At BOLENG,

A door to door awareness campaign on source segregation of municipal solid waste-cum-plantation drive was organised here by the Department of Urban Development and Housing, Boleng Division on the occasion of World Environment Day.

As a part of this campaign, a team led by Deputy Director UD & H, Er. Sonkoli Sonam demonstrated how waste generated in every household can be segregated into biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste right at the household level for easier collection, transportation, treatment and subsequent disposal of the generated waste while protecting the environment.

Through usage of various audio-visual aids, the team also stressed upon the need to adopt environment friendly Compost System. Additionally, various techniques on re-use and recycling of non-biodegradable waste such as plastic, metal, glass etc were shared and demonstrated.

At TAWANG,

Joining the rest of the world, the ICICI Tawang Branch today convened a plantation drive in collaboration with Social Forestry Division Tawang.

The forestry team lead by Tawang DFO Dr. Abdul Qayum Siddique and the Bank team skippered by its Manager Rahul Upadhyay and Deputy Manager Shamim Bharbuiya, planted around 50 saplings near Kalawangpo convention hall near parade ground with the objective to paint the city green.

 Public leaders and students from Kendriya Vidyalaya Tawang also participated in the drive.

 At ITANAGAR,

Joining the rest of the world, officers and jawans of Indo Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) organized plantation programme in the premises of North-Eastern Frontier Headquarters, ITBPF, Khating Hill, Itanagar.

Inspector General ITBP, Manoj Singh Rawat, inaugurated the programme by planting Arjun plant. He also emphasized the gathering on the importance of plantation.

 Among others Dy. Inspector General (Ops/Trg) SK Sharma, Dy. Inspector General (Pers & Admn) Girish Chandra Upadhyay,  Dr. Ramendra Singh, CMO (SG), NE FTR were also participated in the plantation programme .

At TEZU,

World Environment Day was celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm in Tezu today. The celebration started with mass plantation drive from club road to Govt. higher secondary school gate followed by a film show at Amik Ringya hall.

Around 60 students from four different schools participated in the programme.

Danish Ashraf, Deputy Commissioner, Lohit, in his address, extended warm wishes for the day to the young crowd. Highlighting the theme ‘connecting people to nature’, he said that the theme is very apt especially for our state as the indigenous tribes of the state has always lived in harmony with the nature. And therefore, he urged the students to appreciate, learn and take inspiration from the nature. Expressing concern over the rapid destruction of nature, he stressed on the need to conserve and protect nature and requested everyone to take responsibility for the same.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr K. Kire, Chief Conservator of Forest, said that every individual should feel a sense of responsibility towards nature and hence every day should be celebrated as WED to remind ourselves of its importance. He urged the young minds to innovate new ideas and lead the district towards sustainable environment.

Documentaries to create awareness among the students were screened and S.S. Malam, BEO spoke on the importance of the day.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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