Staff Reporter
Dimapur, June 5
Taking serious note of scientific report by Prof. Ravindranth of Indian Institute of Science which has categorized Nagaland as vulnerable to climate change, State Forest minister Dr. Neikiesalie Kire has called upon the people to take upon the responsibility to protect the environment for future generation.
Addressing the Forest department officials and about 250 Eco Club members this morning on the occasion of World Environment Day, organized by the Department of Forest, Ecology, Environment and Wildlife at Nagaland Zoological Park, Dr. Kire appealed the gathering to pledge to create awareness to adopt eco-friendly ways to save our natural resources including forests and rich biodiversity and make planet earth a beautiful place to live.
Prof. Ravindranth of Indian Institute of Science predicted that in a climatic change scenario accentuated by our dwindling forest area, there would be gradual shifting of plant species to higher altitude and in due course of time some plant species would disappear.
He said the need of the hour is creating awareness amongst all stakeholders, adding that it is only collectively that we can protect the environment. He has attributed degradation of forests to large scale shifting cultivation, mining, indiscriminate felling of trees, poaching and killing of wildlife and unplanned development.
Stating that Nagaland is rich with forests and biodiversity, Dr. Kire said Nagaland has tremendous capacity for wood production which has the potential to uplift economy of the State and its people. He said the vast stretches of jhum areas could be planted with fast growing species to provide livelihood to our village communities. While taking into account of people in rural areas who rely on wood for cooking purposes, Dr. Kire remarked that Nagaland is burning a small forest everyday.
He has also appreciated the NBCC for adopting resolution to initiate climate change adaptation strategies and other eco- friendly action sensitive to conservation of forest and preservation of wildlife and to work closely with the community leaders and concerned department for addressing the environmental alarm. NBCC had also resolved to abstain from using jungle meat during church gathering and to discourage churches from offering wild animals during thanksgiving service.
He said observing the World Environment Day also serves as ‘People’s day’ for doing something positive for the environment, galvanizing individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet. On the occasion, he has also requested the Education Department to introduce Green Pledge in schools so that children might take the pledge everyday at the time of school prayer and develop green habits to protect the environment.
Urging everyone to do their bit in day to day life to save our God gifted precious natural resources, Dr. Kire concluded by citing Cree Indian proverb which read: “Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.”
Chairman of Nagaland Pollution Control Board and Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency and guest of honour, Amenba Yaden, has administered the ‘Green Pledge.’
Among other dignitaries who spoke on the occasion included Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Abert Solo; Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Lokeswara Rao; Principal Secretary of Forest, Ecology, Environment and Wildlife, NN Zhasa.
On the occasion, recipient of India Biodiversity Award 2014 Joint Forest Management Committee Old Jalukie, Forest Range Officers namely Obed Botovi Swu and Rampaukai Mpom were felicitated.
Later, the chief guest flagged off the Nagaland Adventure and Mountaineering Education (NAAME) followed by distribution of plant saplings.
RGHSS: In a related programme, students of Ruzhukhrie Government Higher Secondary school, Kohima, with Eco Club and NSS, observed the World Environment Day on the theme “Raise your voice, not the sea level.”
The school students along with the teachers planted 200 two hundred trees in and around the school to show their inclusiveness to the cause and pledge to effectively response to preserve, protect, and create awareness among their family, peers and neighbor in conserving the environment and make earth a better place to live in.
Meanwhile, the school has appreciated Land Resource Department for providing with tree saplings.
Phek: To mark the World Environment Day, Department of Forests & Environment, Phek Division, has organised a plantation programme in collaboration with the district administration and the police.
DFO Phek, Rongsenlemla Imchen, in her keynote address, has stressed on the importance of “collective effort for a positive environmental action by becoming responsible agents of change.”
SP Phek, Deepali Marshirkar, and SDO (C) Warren Hollohon Yepthomi, have also delivered speeches, while the Green Pledge was administered by EAC Phek Longdiba Sangtam.
Forest Department has also organised essay writing and painting competitions where certificates and cash prizes were awarded to the winners.
In the essay competition, Ms. Kevilenuo of Government Higher Secondary School, Werii of Phek Government College) and Nukukho of Government Higher Secondary School were declared winners. In the painting competition, Muyolhu and Ms. Zhobalu of Royal Foundation School and Nuvesu of Kiddies Corner School were declared winners. A special award was also instituted in commemoration of the occasion which was given to the best three JFMC villages under FDA Project. The awardees for the best three JFMC’s in recognition for their sincerity towards community service were given away to JFMC Ketsapo (Phek), JFMC Akhegwo (Meluri) and JFMC Kizari (Tizu area).
PUGHOBOTO: Sumi Aphuyemi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (SAKK), the area students’ union of Pughoboto has organized a programme to commemorate the World Environment Day at Town hall, Pughoboto. SAKK general secretary Kashiho Sheqi led the programme, while its president Tohovi Swu highlighted on the significance of day. The executive secretary SABAK Rev. Hotokhu P Zhimomi, who was the resource person, stated that we have destroyed environment because of selfishness. He called upon every responsible people to care for environment as he said we all are inter-dependent with each other.
Welcome speech was delivered by Adhoc Town Committee Chairman Pughoboto, Viyikhu Wotsa, and the vote of thank by SAKK finance secretary, Joshua P Zhimomi. After the programme, SAKK office bearers and Pughoboto Town Students’ Union have jointly planted ornamental trees at Pughoboto town and surrounding areas.
CHANGTONGYA: Youth Department of Changtongya Town Baptist Church (CTBC) has observed the World Environment Day on the theme ‘Replenishing God’s creation” where DFO Mokokchung, TN Maren Jamir was the chief guest.
In his address, the speaker said God created our universe so that all living and non living things could co-exist equally by creating a perfect balance for our survival. But he said due to the man-made destruction like deforestation which has caused a great effect in climate change and explained the impact of its consequences. He, therefore, said it should be one’s responsibility to preserve the environment by planting more trees.
SDO (C) MS Thangpong, who also delivered a short speech, appealed to all the participants to act responsible and help protect the environment which is God’s creation.
The programme was chaired by Moamongla, while invocation and benediction was pronounced by Pastor CTBC, T Yanger, and Pastor of NCRC Changtongya Centre, S Moa. The welcome speech was delivered by Youth Director CTBC, Imtisunep I Ozukum. Highlights of the programme included special song by Youth Department CTBC, slogan competition and play competition which were won by GMS Changtongya (A) and Green River Valley School respectively. Altogether 12 schools from government and private schools participated in the programme.
Green-Sons: Green-Sons, in collaboration with Forest Department Dimapur Division, ATMA, Dimapur, Nagaland Pollution Control Board and NSS Dimapur Government College have jointly observed the World Environment Day.
In a brief programme, Dr. Nzan Humtsoe, general secretary of Green-Sons who also chaired the programme, has highlighted the organization’s activities. An invocation prayer by Ms. Kezhaleü Hesso Associate Prof. of Dimapur Government College.
Delivering the keynote address, chairman of Green Sons Jess T Murry, has urged everyone to have concern with the environment and the nature created by God. He has quoted UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon’s statement “Planet earth is our shared Island, lets join forces to protect it” at the launch of 2014 International Year of Small Islands and Development States (SIDS). In continuation, Jess T Murry emphasized on our local environment and insisted that much has to be done with our state environment context and to begin at home.
Ms Janet Chishi, DPD, ATMA Dimapur, declared the plantation drive at Government College campus, The NSS of the Government College Dimapur has planted about 200 plants at the new campus. In another activity, Green-Sons carried out a cleanliness drive at Murgipati and planted few saplings and also made a bamboo fence to protect the spot from deterioration.
ANCSU: To commemorate the World Environment Day, All Nagaland College Students’ Union undertook a tree plantation on the theme “Greener & Cleaner environment.” Various colleges have participated with different activities involving social work and planting of tress around their college campus. ANCSU officials have also undertook plantation drive in the office of the Directorate of Higher Education and the Naga Solidarity Park. Meanwhile, the Union has conveyed gratitude to the silviculture department for providing sapling and also the colleges and its volunteers for their active participation and co-operation in making the programme a success.
