Dimapur, June 6: Various communities, government departments and educational institutions across Nagaland observed World Environment Day on June 5 to mark a day of remembrance that the health of the environment is intricately linked to the health of humankind. Organizations issued photographs and press releases offering updates about their programs.
World Environment Day is observed every year on June 5 to raise global awareness to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth. It is run by the United Nations Environment Program. World Environment Day is the United Nations’ most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of the environment. Since it began in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries.
Dimapur
Dimabang Halali Hosom
The Dimabang Halali Hosom (Society) of Dimapur observed World Environment Day by planting saplings in various government institutions. They started at the government middle school of Bamunpukhuri-II and on to the Khiamniungan church plot of Bamunpukhuri-II village. The society also planted saplings at the government primary school and the temple at Bamunpukhuri-I village.
Livingstone Higher Secondary School
Livingstone Foundation Higher Secondary School observed the Day at its seniors’ block on June 6 “during the Morning Assembly.” The organizers said that the program for the occasion was organized by the Eco Club in and Coordinating committee of the school.
Speaking about the significance of the day, geography teacher Tamal Kar highlighted the importance of following the ‘four Rs’: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover. They are essential to ‘maintaining the ecological balance so that sustainable development takes place,’ the school said. He encouraged the students to ‘work for ecological balance at the local levels for national development.’
A skit by the students of class-xii was performed on the theme of conserving forest and wildlife resources.
SD Jain School
SD Jain Higher Secondary School also observed World Environment Day in the school with various activities to ‘create awareness’ among the children on the importance of protecting the environment. The Environmental Education department of the school took initiative to organize programs to mark the occasion. A poster making competition was organized with the theme ‘One World One Environment.’
More than 100 students from class-vi to class-xii took part in the competition. Class 11 students presented the one world theme song during the school assembly. Sohail Khan of Class 11 Science spoke on the importance of having a sustainable development so as to share this planet with all living things. Students have taken a pledge on planting and nurturing at least one tree in their surroundings. Students also promised to abstain from using plastic bags as far as possible. Another highlight of the celebration was a poster exhibition by students on different environmental issues.
Kohima
In commemoration of World Environment Day, the department of Youth Resources & Sports organized tree plantation event at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima town. A cleanliness drive was also undertaken by members of the National Service Scheme, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, and Indira Gandhi Stadium Academy Students, and officers and staffer from the department. 300 ‘environmental stewards’ took part in the social work, the organizers informed.
Also students of Mount Olive College in Kohima town observed World Environment Day on June 4.The highlights of the day included cleaning the campus, a tree plantation program and ‘beautification of the campus.’
Longleng
The Longleng District Legal Services Authorities on Sunday commemorated World Environment day by organizing a painting competition for students of government higher secondary school of Longleng with the theme “join the race to make the world a better place.”
Peren
World Environment Day was observed at Benreu village under Peren district, a program for which was jointly organized by the Peren Forest division, Foundation for Ecological Security of Guwahati and the Community Conservation Area Committee of Benreu village. During the event, C Villalhuolie, the forest officer of Peren talked about the significance of the day and emphasized on the obligations that everyone was vested with “for helping attain a healthy environment.” He encouraged the younger generations to live up to the expectations and demands of the day, “not only in academics but also in having concern for the environment.”
Another speaker at the event, Alakesh Baruah, emphasized on the various aspects of community conservation efforts especially in Nagaland. He spoke about the importance of having ‘good knowledge of the benefits and economics of conservation, need-based assessment and utilization of resources and the need for continuity.’
Phek
Also, the Phek District Legal Services Authorities organized an ‘environmental awareness program’ with the theme ”Fight against illegal trade in wildlife” with members of the local church of Phek Town Baptist Church.
Also TMT Higher Secondary School of Pfütsero organized a program to mark the day. Students of class-xii performed a skit during the event. A song based on the Earth Anthem was sung during the event.
The school’s principal, Bisharlang Reynald Pyngrope, spoke about the meaning of the theme. He said that to turn the tide against illegal wildlife trade, more people need to understand the damage the trade was inflicting on the environment, economies, communities and security.
“There is a need to change habits and behavior so that demand for wildlife products falls. More awareness also increases the pressure on governments and international bodies to introduce and enforce tougher laws and combat those still willing to break them,” the school quoted him as having said during the speech.
The day also saw the students planting flowers and a cleaning drive around the school.
