Shillong, July 26:: “Each One, Teach One, Plant One” is the message coming out from the Vanamahotsava 2013 held today at Good Shepherd Higher Secondary School, Jongksha, East Khasi Hills District. Organised by the Social Forestry Division, East Khasi Hills, the programme was graced by the Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Forests & Environment Department, Mr. M S Rao as the Chief Guest while the function was presided over by the Chief Conservator of Forests, Social Forestry & Environment, Meghalaya, Mr. A Lyngdoh.
Vanamahotsava, literally meaning festival of trees, is observed annually throughout the country during the month of July with an objective to conserve forests and its resources as initiated by P Munshi, the then Union Minister of Agriculture in 1950. This civic action was enacted to safeguard nature against degradation and in the long run provide sustenance for the economy of the common people in the form of fodder for cattle, fuel, food, timber, etc.
Mr. M S Rao, in his speech, said that the festival of trees should also be a festival for the citizens, where every citizen is expected to plant and nurture one tree. He enlightened the people that forest increases water holding capacity of the soil, thus preventing drought situation besides being useful for cultivation activities. Stating that the main aim of the programme is to create awareness amongst the people on the importance of conservation and preservation of forests, he said that forests have an important ecological significance as they help balance the oxygen and carbon dioxide which is crucial for human beings existence.
Mr. Rao said that this generation is guilty of spoiling the environment, whether knowingly or unknowingly, which has threatened our very own existence. Therefore, the government and the citizens have come to realize that there is an urgent need to take measures to conserve forests. So, the government has implemented various schemes for this purpose like the National afforestation Programme through Joint Forest Management Committees, Afforestation of Critical Catchment Area and Social Forestry Programme, where these schemes involve community participation, he informed. Therefore, he called upon the school children and all those present in the programme to go to the community and villages and advocate the habit of conserving nature and to be sensitive towards the environment.
Mr. R. Pyngrope, local MLA, in his speech, said that climate change has been a great concern the world over where it is felt that deforestation is the main cause of this phenomenon. So he called upon the school children to take the responsibility to plant trees in their own courtyard and in the locality and to spread the message in their villages on the significance of conservation of forests.
Later, tree samplings were also planted at the premises of Good Shepherd HS School.The highlights of the day included a skit presented by the students of Good Shepherd HS School and prize distribution to the winners of the drawing & painting competition and slogan writing competition.
Among others who spoke on the occasion included Fr. D Konuran, Principal Good Shepherd HS School, Jongksha, Mr. Medistar Warbah, ex-MLA and Myntri of Khyrim Syiemship. The welcome address was delivered by the Conservator of Forests (HQ), Meghalaya, Shillong, Mr. G W Kharmujai while the vote of thanks was offered by the DFO, Social Forestry Division, East Khasi Hills, Mr. S A Nongsiej.(SP News)
