Senapati: A one day awareness programme cum tree plantation drive was initiated by the Poumai Naga Tsiidoumai Me (PNTM), Shillong in collaboration with Senapati Forest Division and Naamai Eco-tourism Society (NETS) under the theme, “Climate Action: Preserve and Explore the Beauty of Nature” at Naamai Zho in Manipur on Friday.
The initiative, a first of its kind in Senapati district, witnessed planting of thirty cherry tree saplings and installation of tree guards. Poster and signature campaign to motivate people to ‘not wait but act and adopt green living’ were the highlights of the event.
Speaking on the occasion, PK Francis, the president of Poumai Naga Tsiidoumai Me (PNTM), Shillong, a student body, highlighted that there is growing momentum around the world to harness the power of education to combat and adapt to climate change and ensure that young minds cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills needed to take action.
“We want to exemplify how our vacations can be positively channeled for social engineering”, he said.
Benjamin Ziipao, the range officer, Liyai Forest Range shared, “Our past experiences have taught us the futility of planting saplings without management. The lessons learnt help us model a fresh system where sustainability is the prime focus. The model ensures optimization of resources by planting less number of saplings following Good Agricultural Practices and ensuring effective protection mechanism from any potential threats that pose a threat to their survival”.
Taking care of saplings that were planted is more important than planting thousands of saplings that go unattended. “There is an urgent need to plant trees with a sense of ownership and belongingness. Adopting trees and building fraternity ties with them is a responsibility”, remarked Chiziinai Easter Khonah.
Y Mathew, the President of Naamai Eco-tourism lauded the novel initiative of the student community and urged other CSOs, society, churches, and individuals to adopt trees and play essential role in mitigating the impact of climate change.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
‘Trees are a symbol of dignity. It is not by chance that trees die standing. And so let us, with this symbolic gesture of today, remind ourselves that we need to do everything we can for a healthy planet,” he said.
The program ended with a pledge from the participants to adopt the saplings till they attain the age of seven years and vowed to endorse environmental stewardship as a way of life.
Also Read | In Manipur, mob torches minister’s godown, tries to set house on fire