Nagaland
Viswema Baptist Church plants over 7000 fruit trees to mark centenary celebration
Fruit tree saplings to be distributed to the locals for plantation at their homes
Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 4 (EMN): Hundreds of people from various Christian denominations and other faiths, including All Nagaland Indigenous Faith Council, participated in the fruit tree plantation drive organised by the Viswema Baptist Church as part of its upcoming centenary celebration.
The participants gathered at St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School ground on Tuesday for the plantation drive themed “Lo-The-Wu”, meaning, “To plant-To grow-To bear fruits”, and more than 7000 tree saplings were planted.
“Christianity entered Viswema about 94 years ago and in 2028, we are going to celebrate 100 years. Keeping that in mind, and aware of the fact that many trees have been cut down, we decided to plant fruit trees this year for which we started plant nurseries last year,” said Convenor of the Centenary Planning Committee, Dr. Hovithal Sothu.
The theme for the 100th anniversary celebration is “Waiting upon the Lord”, he informed.
The idea of tree plantation drive was conceived considering its multiple benefits such as rejuvenation of nature, bearing of fruits, improvement of environment, and economic growth, he said, while expressing hope that the initiative will benefit future generations.
However, Dr. Sothu said that it was challenging to find fruit tree saplings as many such trees are disappearing. Beautification activities will be conducted in the coming years besides plantation drive, he added.
The locals residents will take care of the planted saplings and ensure that they grow, it was informed.
Executive Director of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), Rev. Dr. Atsi Dolie, who attended the occasion as special guest, said that plants give back to the world and to humankind by bearing fruits and improving environment.
While lauding the initiative taken up by the organiser, he said plantation of fruit trees should be a reminder to the people that humans should also prepare to bear good fruits spiritually.
Adviser of All Nagaland Indigenous Faith Council, Yose Chaya, who took part in the drive, said: “Today, in the name of the village, I am sowing a wild apple plant”.
He expressed hope that the trees will start bearing fruits in 8-9 years’ time.
Chief Executive Officer of Entrepreneurs Associates (EA), Neichute Doulo said that the organisation had donated 1000 tree tomato saplings to the church as part of its initiative to plant 200 million fruit trees by 2025. So far, 3.60 lakh fruit trees have been planted, for which Viswema village is also a major contributor, he added while expressing hope to see a positive change in the state.
Meanwhile, fruit tree saplings will also be distributed to the local people for plantation at their homes.
Village leaders, religious leaders and other dignitaries were given a name tag to the saplings they planted. A total of seven varieties of fruit trees were planted along the roadsides and on the ground where the kick-off event was held.
NBCC General Secretary Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho addressed the gathering besides pronouncing the blessings for the initiative.