Nagaland
Plantation drives mark World Environment Day in Nagaland
Dimapur, June 5 (EMN): Plantation drives marked the World Environment Day celebrations across different parts of Nagaland on Saturday on the theme “Ecosystem restoration.” Educational institutions along with students and other civil organisations actively participated in the plantation drives.
Team Dimapur: Commemorating the World Environment Day, Team Dimapur led by its nodal officer, Y Kikheto Sema along with few members of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) led by its interim president Etsungmomo Kikon and ADC Dimapur planted more than 200 decorative trees at new Naga Cemetery Dimapur on June 5.
A DIPR report stated that NCD and volunteers would plant more than 300 tree saplings along the stretch before reaching the cemetery in the coming days.
In a short speech, Kikheto has termed the New Naga cemetery as the most important place in Nagaland since most of the Covid warriors were buried there. Kikheto informed that 147 victims from the first wave as well as the second wave were buried at new Naga cemetery till date.
He thanked the Lotha Baptist Church and Lotha Youth Organisation Dimapur for sponsoring readymade concrete grave pits for giving a decent burial to the Covid warriors. While regretting that more than 50 persons were to be identified, he urged the family and relatives to identify their loved ones so that their names could be placed accordingly.
He also appealed to the NCD not to collect money from the family of corona victims stating that many people are willing to come forward for sponsoring/donation. He further informed that Team Dimapur would also be able to provide the necessary requirements.
On being briefed about the worsening of the road leading to the cemetery by the NCD interim president, Kikheto informed that the matter has been put up to the higher authority and expressed hope that the issue would be considered on priority.
Meanwhile, the NCD interim president has thanked Team Dimapur for leading the fight against the pandemic in the district and also visiting the cemetery several times and for also giving valuable suggestions.
JYO: Commemorating the World Environment Day, Jakhama Youth Organisation (JYO), in collaboration with the Village Development Board (VDB) and Jakhama Students’ Union (JSU) planted around 500 pine and cherry tree saplings in and around the thoroughfare of Jakhama, a village under southern Angami region, situated about 16 km away from the state capital. The four-day plantation drive began on June 1.
The mass plantation drive was organised by limiting the numbers of participants with necessary SOPs in view of the prevailing situation.
Kevithuto Sophie, senior superintendent of police, Kohima, who attended the plantation drive in Jakhama on Saturday said it is high time the villagers must come together in unison and safeguard and protect the environment of the picturesque Jakhama which is in threat already.
Highlighting about the climatic and environmental change, which is adversely affecting lives elsewhere in the world, he asked the younger generation to take a proactive role in taking care of their surroundings for the betterment of humanity in their village and society at large.
Sophie also asked the villagers, especially the educated youths, to utilise their knowledge by being in the forefront towards restoring the quality of the natural habitat.
While lauding some youth in Jakhama, who are coming up with campsites and parks by planting more trees and plants to attract visitors, he asked the educated ones to follow suit for employment opportunities instead of depending upon government jobs which have become saturated.
Emphasizing on the importance of the traditional agricultural practices, the police officer also reminded the educated unemployed about the scope of “easy market” within the village which could sustain their livelihood.
Longleng: Longleng district administration along with Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) and Sakhi One-Stop Centre (OSC), in collaboration with Ray Beacons Club, Longleng Town Students’ Union (LTSU) and Yongnyah Student’s Union (YSU) observed the World Environment Day by organising cleanliness drive and tree plantation in Longleng town.
The purpose of organising the programme was to create awareness and encourage protection of the environment, a DIPR report stated.
It stated that a tree plantation drive under the mission “Tree for daughters” was carried out in the entire district. It added that the mission “Tree for daughters” would be organised every month to celebrate the birth of a girl child. The programme was initiated by MSK Longleng under “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.”
LVSU: Commemorating the World Environment Day, the Leangkonger Village Students’ Union (LVSU) undertook mango tree plantation on the theme “For a better tomorrow” at various locations in the village including GMS Leangkonger.
It stated that a total of 62 mango tree saplings were planted which was initiated by its president B Torupkiu Yimchunger.
It added that Y Anner Village Council (YAVC) and students’ union also celebrated World Environment Day by planting trees on roadside and GMS compound.
The Self Employed Women Association (SEWA) in Shamator also observed World Environment Day at Shamator headquarter led by its mobiliser Tsurila Yimchunger.
VSU: Commemorating the World Environment Day, some members of the Viswema Students’ Union (VSU) led by its president Metol Neikha organised a social work around the Covid Care Centre (CCC) at the John Government Higher Secondary School, Viswema.
It stated that the members have cleared the road and pathways, pruned over grown trees along the road and planted locally available sapling mainly Himalayan cherry (Prunes cerasoides) and Orchid tree (Bauhinia varigata).
Meanwhile, the Village Development Board (VDB) secretary, Ketsokhol Kennao has thanked the VSU volunteers for their concern shown toward the Covid Care Centre and the environment.
AIDA: ANMA Integrated Development Association (AIDA) observed the World Environment Day by organising tree plantation drives in the five adopted villages namely Khriezephe, Diezephe, Tsithrongse, Bade and Urra.
Despite the ongoing pandemic and lockdown, it stated that the AIDA team under SBI Foundation collected 400 saplings including Bokul, Korol, Azar and Sonari from the Forest department. It added that village council members, youth leaders from the adopted villages carried out the programme following all safety measures and SOP of the government.
JCC: Commemorating the World Environment Day, the Japfü Christian College at Kigwema in Kohima district planted 50 saplings of Persimmon fruit trees.
An update from the college stated that it is home to 500 fruit trees and 450 assorted flowers and organic vegetables. It is being monitored by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and looked after by concerted efforts of the Biodiversity Club, Eco Club, NSS, NCC, Floriculture Club, Organic Gardening Club, Beekeeping Club, Horti Club and the residents of the residential college.
Report stated that plums were picked and distributed to all residents.
SSP: Sainik School Punglwa (SSP) celebrated the World Environment Day by various on-line and off-line activities to sensitise cadets on the value of tree plantation and the need to conserve the environment.
To mark the day, the school’s principal Group Captain Prasun Basu along with the day-scholar cadets, staff and families carried out a plantation drive in the school campus. It added that over 100 tree saplings were planted in the school premises.
It added that an on-line poster making and article writing competitions were also organised for the cadets of class VII to XII.
TVSU: Thanamir Village Students’ Union (TVSU), in collaboration with Thanamir Village Council, observed the World Environment Day by organising a plantation drive on June 5.
The plantation drive was attended by students, council members, church leaders, representatives from the Health department and village elders.
Speaking at a brief programme, Ramya Nair, field researcher from Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), praised the union and village council headed by second GB and council chairman for preserving the nature and ecosystem. She also highlighted the importance of celebrating the World Environment Day especially in today’s world where natural resources are being destroyed due to increasing human utilities.
An update from the union stated that 250 plant saplings such as Rhododendron, plum and apple were planted along the approach road as well as in the union’s reserved forest.
Eco Club Wokha: Wokha Eco Club celebrated the World Environment Day by organising a plantation drive.
Speaking at the programme, EAC Wokha headquarters Aloto Shohe has highlighted the effect of global warming due to deforestation and urged the participants to rejuvenate the ecosystem.
Also speaking at the programme, president of Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) Ashanthung Humtsoe has urged to restore biodiversity through various programmes, while Lolo Lothunglo Ezung, a YouTuber, cited fire incidents at Dzukou valley and Amazon rainforest due to human carelessness.
The plantation drive was launched by the officer-in-charge of Wokha police station, L Chenithung Kikon. The Forest department provided tree seedlings.
The Wokha youth village organisation also planted 300 cherry plants from NH-2 to Mt. Tiyi foot hill.
173 CRPF: The 173 battalion CRPF based at Dimapur Airfield observed the World Environment Day by organising a massive tree plantation drive at its battalion camping site in Chumoukedima.
An update from the battalion that about 2000 tree saplings such as oaks, guavas, gulmohars, bokuls, begonias etc. were planted by about 350 personnel including unit officers.
The unit also carried out plantation drives in its transit camps in Dimapur and Mokokchung.
BCTE: Bosco College of Teacher Education (BCTE) observed the World Environment Day and also welcomed the World Environment Decade 2021-2031 by planting tree saplings.
BCTE principal Fr. Dr. Sabu Joseph has expressed joy at the overwhelming response from the students and staff during the planting drive.
The college hoped to organise more such events in the coming 10 years to make the planet greener and safer for all God’s creatures.
BMSCH: Bright Morning Star Children Home (BMSCH), Kohima, under the aegis of Ideal (IW) Charitable Society, organised a drawing competition as part of World Environment Day.
An update from the school informed that a total of 20 students participated in the competition by adhering to Covid-19 SOPs.
In the senior category, Nyiemangmongsen, Avinuo Ruth and Rüdulhounuo Rita bagged first, second and third positions respectively, while in the junior category Maria Ashu, Ngomi and Thejavilie were declared winners.
DLSA: District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA) under the aegis of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) commemorated the World Environment Day by planting tree saplings.
An update from NSLSA stated that Peren DLSA planted 80 saplings of different species at District Court premises. The team was headed by retainer lawyer, panel lawyer, para-legal volunteers and front office assistant. It stated that various saplings were donated by the Forest department, Jalukie.
In Wokha, DLSA members led by its chairman and district and session judge, Duvelu Vero and secretary, Khrievono Seletsu, planted tree saplings at their homes and surrounding areas.
Phek DLSA also planted tree saplings at legal aid clinics at Meluri, Chetheba and Government Primary School, Chozuba.
IOC: As part of the World Environment Day celebration, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. carried out tree plantation drives at Dimapur Depot in Kevijau Colony, Dimapur Bottling Plant at 7th Mile, and AFS, Dimapur Airport.
An update from IOC stated that a live web telecast of the Prime Minister’s address on the World Environment Day was also shown in collaboration with KVK, Dimapur.
Naga Terriers: The NAGA Terriers under the aegis of IGAR headquarters undertook water conservation and plantation drives at Zakhama, Meluri, Mokokchung, Mon, Tuensang, Tizit and Rangapahar.
It stated that the troops from respective COBs along with support of volunteers from villages planted an approximate 10,500 saplings across Nagaland with a pledge to protect the environment.
The commanding officer, Col Neeraj Sood, has exhorted everyone to protect nature and save the environment for present and future generations.
Sao Chang College: Marking the World Environment Day, Sao Chang College in Tuensang organised a national webinar on June 5 with Dr. Chongpi Tuboi, project scientist of Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, as the resource person. The webinar was organised by IQAC in collaboration with NSS of Sao Chang College.
Speaking on the theme “Ecosystem restoration: Why the need?” Dr. Chongpi emphasised on the critical importance of the ecosystem and their restoration for the preservation of the planet. While explaining the different restoration approaches, she stressed upon the participants to work for the restoration of the ecosystem through various activities including growing trees, greening cities, re-wilding gardens, changing diets or cleaning up rivers.
Team Metamorphosis: Commemorating the World Environment Day, Team Metamorphosis based in Wokha district planted ornamental trees at its Eco- Tourism Park located at Niroyo Road.
An update from the team informed that the plantation drive was organised to address environmental issues like deforestation. It mentioned that in 2016, the team had adopted a slogan “Love earth- love life” by launching a mega project “Operation Clean Wokha,” an approach to instill every individual a sense of responsibility to keep Wokha clean.
In 2019, the team also joined in the campaign to ban all single-use plastics to make Wokha district a plastic-free zone.
Unity College: Unity College of Teacher Education, Dimapur, celebrated the World Environment Day through virtual platforms.
Speaking on the occasion, the college’s principal Dr. Devanand Sinha advised the students not to use plastic bags and plastic water bottles, to plant at least one tree sapling, and to motivate at least ten friends or relatives to do the same so that it could multiply to thousands and make Dimapur a green city.
In her introductory speech, Dr. Krishnarathi A, faculty in Science Education, motivated the students to love nature and protect the environment for future generations.
It added that fourteen students presented papers on the ecosystem, flora, fauna, aquatic biomes, air pollution, water pollution, land pollution, threats to biodiversity, deforestation, impact of population, and impact of pollution.
Bayuvü panchayat: Commemorating the World Environment Day, the executives of the Bayavü Area Panchayat participated in the plantation drive in and around the colony. The plantation drive was led by the colony panchayat chairman, Khinyi Woch, president of Bayavü Youth Organisation Neiphrelie Metha and Bayavü sanitation committee member Merangnungba Aier.