A Tree Plantation was organized as part of the World Environment Day 2023 at Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR), Kohima on 5th June 2023.
J Alam, Chief Secretary said that it was time for action and that he was contented that World Environment Day is being celebrated with devotion by organizing this plantation. He said that the government is doing a lot for the environment by organizing awareness campaigns and activities for a ban on single-use plastics and so we should act on it. As the forest cover is declining in the state, everybody should act fast in the interest of future generations as the ill effects of climate change are being faced by all in Nagaland too. He encouraged all to continue this type of activity and not to take it just as a one-day celebration.
Commissioner & Secretary, Y Kikheto Sema said that the theme for World Environment Day 2023 is Beat Plastic Pollution and that the world is being inundated by plastic. About 20 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers, seas, Towns & Cities making it one of the gravest threats to the planet. “Environment is a common property and it is everyone’s responsibility to protect it.” He said climate change is a man-made problem, and therefore people have to solve it for future generations.
He encouraged all present to pledge to beat plastic pollution and strive for a cleaner, healthier, and sustainable planet. On the deforestation issue in the state, he said trees are disappearing and temperature is rising, leading to climate change, and according to ISFR, Nagaland had the highest decrease in forest cover during 2019-2021 of 235 sq. km and the main cause of deforestation in the state is Jhum cultivation so we should seek for an alternative form of farming. As the state government put a total ban on single-use plastic in 2019, he requested the Chief Secretary to implement it in letter and spirit.
The tree plantation was organized by Nagaland In-Service Doctors’ Association in collaboration with Forest Department.
Earlier Dr. Bernard Amer, President of NIDA gave the opening remarks and chaired the programme. Dr Vibeituonuo M Sachu, Principal Director, DHFW gave the welcome address, and Vikepu Tepa, Chaplain, NHAK said a prayer.
(Avika Awomi, IA)
