World Environment Day celebrated across Nagaland

Along with the rest of the world, World Environment Day was also celebrated in all districts of Nagaland.

Advisor Khamo launches mega tree plantation drive in Phek

THENYIZU — Advisor for CAWD and Taxes, Kudecho Khamo on Monday morning launched the mega tree plantation drive in commemoration of 50th anniversary of Phek district formation at Sedzü, Thenyizu.

Addressing the launching event organised under the banner of Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO), the advisor pointed out that humans have disrupted the planet’s equilibrium, thereby gradually making the environment unfit for living and endangering human existence.

Khamo maintained that the Government of Nagaland is taking keen interest for the environment by organising various events on the occasion of World Environment Day.

He also appreciated the public leaders, government officials and participants alike for coming forward enthusiastically to the call of the CPO.

Khamo also underscored the need to check global warming through plantation of trees and preservation of flora and fauna to make the environment cleaner, greener and for prosperous future of mankind.

Making a clarion call on the need to make the environment friendlier and to undo the damages done to the environment, he called upon all sections of society to come forward and take responsibility in creating awareness and rebuild the ecosystem, free from pollution.

Further, claiming that Phek district has the best road infrastructure in the state, he called upon the people of the district to beautify the entire stretch of the highway with flowers, fruit, ornamental and other trees, to promote tourism and attract visitors.

Earlier, CPO finance secretary Satahi Shijoh, in his keynote address, highlighted the significance of World Environment Day, and also pointed out the harmful effects of plastic, which causes environmental and other hazards to mankind.

A short speech was also delivered by Medothi  Rhakho, VCC Thenyizumi and the programme was led by Avezo Kevin Kapuh, president Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU).

Following the launching event, Advisor Khamo along with public leaders and representatives of the CPO frontal organisations toured the stretch from Sedzü till Dzulhami village, and encouraged the participants at various locations.

In commemoration of the mega tree plantation drive, Khamo also planted a tree sapling at Sedzü, Thenyizu and also planted trees at ADC office complex Chozuba and at Dzülhami village, the last village bordering Zunheboto district. (Our Correspondent)

RRR drive a success in Mokokchung

MOKOKCHUNG — World Environment Day was observed in Mokokchung district by various NGOs, groups and government agencies. The Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) observed the World Environment Day-cum-culmination of “MeriLife, Mera Swachh Shehar’ campaign at MMC conference hall.

Dr. Sentitula, DFO Mokokchung, who spoke on the significance of the day, observed that environmental degradation started because of human greediness and that humans may face serious disasters in the future,  whether manmade or natural disasters, because of “our unsustainable approach to our environment.”

In this regard, she urged the gathering to use resources in a sustainable way to save our environment.

Om Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (RRR) centres, the DFO congratulated the people of Mokokchung and the volunteers for their active participation, which made the drive a total success.

She said RRR was not only successful but also underwent the next stage Rediscovery-Redesign and Re-Manufacture because the SHGs were able to transform the wastes into other products.

ADC Mokokchung and MMC Administrator, Chumlamo Humtsoe also informed that 8 RRR centres were started in the initial stage with a lot of apprehension due to lack of fund.

Read: Nagaland Governor urges people to treat environment as top priority to save the planet

Humtsoe howeversaid that when people realised the benefit of RRR centers, those wards which did not joined the campaign earlier opened RRR centers in their respective wards, thereby taking the total of RRR centres in Mokokchung to 15.

“This exercise has opened the eyes of our people and I am hopeful that this trend will continue as a culture,” he said.

In the RRR competition, Salangtem Ward won the first position, second position went to Sungkomen Ward while Arkong Ward came third. The Clean Mokokchung Campaign and Kabur Telok also took a proactive part in setting up RRR centres during the week-long event.

The Eco Friendly Club of Dr. Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital also carried out a tree plantation drive and a programme was held at Dr. Imkongliba Ao Monument Garden. Assistant Conservator of Forest, Mokokchung Forest Division, Moamongba spoke on the significance of the day during the programme.

The Aetkong Students’ Conference (AKTM) also celebrated World Environment Day –cum-Late Dr Imtiwapang Aier Greening Asetkong Project at Yimchalu village where a tree plantation drive was carried out.

Clark Memorial Higher Secondary School, Impur, also planted 40 mango saplings (hybrid) to commemorate the day. (Our Correspondent)

Social media campaign ‘Save Tsumang Lake’ held in Wokha

WOKHA — A social media campaign on ‘Save Tsumang Lake’was held at Wokha town, which was attended by around two hundred environmental enthusiasts including senior citizens, school students from Mt. Sinai, Wokha Circle Students’ Union, Tsumang Youth Organisation, Team Clean Wokha and women folks.

The challenge of the campaign was focused on cleaning Tsumang Lake, a landmark in the heart of Wokha town, while tree saplings provided by the department of Forest were also planted.

In another location under Wokha district, 2300 cherry saplings were planted at Lakhuti village under the aegis of Lakhuti Student’ Union (LSU) ahead of the union’s 75th platinum jubilee celebration to be held in December.

New Wokha village and Old Riphyim village also observed World Environment Day by planting trees and carrying out mass social work in and around the respective villages and National Highway stretch.

Meanwhile, the Lotha Officers’ Association (LOA) in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (DEFCC) and Nagaland Empowerment of People through Economic Development (NEPED) organised an “Avenue plantation” from Wokha village to Yikhum village. (Our Correspondent)

SIHM Dimapur undertakes tree plantation, blood donation

DIMAPUR — State Institute of Hotel Management (SIHM), Dimapur observed World Environment Day (WED) at the institute’s premises on the theme ‘Environment through humanity,’ which was marked by tree plantation drive and a blood donation camp, with the aid of Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research (CIHSR).

Principal in-charge of SIHM, Indranil Roychowdhury, said that since the main activity of WED is planting trees, this time they wanted to look into humanity as well and so came up with the theme.

Roychowdhury also said he was pleased to see the students coming forward to donate blood and added that 95% of students are first-time donors.

Being a blood donor himself, he said the main objective is to be a good human and that “if we can channelise this into the youth of Nagaland and if people start looking at this, we will have lots of blood and there will be no scarcity of blood.”

Sharing about the institute, the first hotel management institute in the state which started functioning this year, he updated that the first batch arrived in February 2023 for various programmes like housekeeping, room attendant, kitchen, and others, completed their courses in April. He said the second batch started on April 20.

Chief administrator of SIHM, Anthony Chasteii, informed that the institute offers three-year courses in hotel management, hospitality and hotel administration. Once the trainees complete their courses, they are assured of 100% job placement, he said.

Chasteii also shared that they organised blood donation camp to create awareness that there are also humans who need compassion.

Thirty student and some of the institute’s staff donated blood, he added. He also informed that about 250 saplings were planted. (Our Reporter)

Sematilla colony wins RRR drive award in Dimapur

DIMAPUR — Sematilla colony (Ward 7) was declared as the winner of the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (RRR) campaign under Swachch Bharat 2.0, initiated by Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC).

Sematilla colony which won the first prize for the ‘Ward participation’ in the RRR campaign received cash prize of INR 70,000.

Police Colony (Ward 5) secured the second position and received INR 60,000 while Lengrijan colony (Ward 12) took third position and received INR 50,000.

The award distribution programme was held at DDSC Stadium on Monday, coinciding with the World Environment Day, with Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, Sachin Jaiswal, as the chief guest.

The DC in his address emphasised the importance of incorporating campaigns like Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (RRR) into everyday life.

The RRR drive in Dimapur commenced on May 20 and successfully concluded after three weeks. A total of 11 colonies, individuals, Can Youth and Naga Women Hoho, actively participated in the campaign.

Jaiswal was of the view that people should gradually adopt a minimalist lifestyle. Reflecting on his experience in Mokokchung district, Jaiswal shared that he observed a commendable practice where people, both young and old, would actively come out to the streets to maintain cleanliness during social works.

The DC noted that there is a significant difference in Dimapur and stressed on the need for increased awareness and active participation to keep Dimapur clean and sustainable.

Addressing the issue of garbage dumping, Jaiswal said that unless society as a whole take ownership of waste management, the problem of accumulating wastes will persist and be visible everywhere.

He underscored the need for individuals to recognise their responsibilities in maintaining cleanliness and taking proactive measures to address the issue.

Jaiswal further mentioned that the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) is also planning to undertake the cleaning of drainage systems in and around Dimapur.

Administrator DMC, W Manpai Phom, shared the positive outcome of the campaign by revealing that 95% of the clothes and shoes collected during the initiative have been successfully distributed to those in need.

Phom acknowledged that while the RRR campaign operates under the directive of the Union Ministry, he suggested that it should be a continuous process at the local level since this campaign’s outcome was positive. (Our Reporter)

Reports of World Environment Day celebration have also poured in from other districts and sub-divisions including Zunheboto, Longleng, Tening , Pughoboto, Pungro and Tizt, as per DIPR.

Zunheboto: Zunheboto district celebrated World Environment Day by organising a mass tree plantation drive at various places like DC’ residence,  DC office premises,  District Hospital, Zunheboto Government College, Government Higher Secondary School,  SP office. The plantation drive was led by Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto, Rahul Bhanudas Mali, along with ZAPO officials, STH, Sakhi One Center, Green Club, NYK, MSK and DC staff, a DIPR report stated.