WED 2021: CM calls for reducing carbon footprint

June 6, 2021 38 Views No Comment

DIMAPUR, JUN 6 (NPN): State chief minister Neiphiu Rio Saturday said the “Ecosystem Restoration”, the theme of World Environment Day, 2021, was the key to address the various global crises that the world was facing and stressed on the need to leave minimum carbon footprint on the planet.

Gracing the virtual programme organised to celebrate the World Environment Day, 2021 by the state environment, forest & climate change (EF&CC) department, as special guest, Rio also underscored the need for action and commitment towards betterment of the planet and the environment. Rio stated that development was achieving balance between meeting requirements and preserving the environment. He, however, reminded that the earth did not belong to the present generation alone, adding that it was “our duty to ensure that a better planet is handed to future generations.”

Rio lauded the initiatives and commitment of the people of the state to the cause of conservation, which has resulted in vegetation cover higher than the national average and establishment of numerous community conservation areas in the state.

On the occasion, the chief minister congratulated Dr. Nuklo Phom and Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary on being awarded the green Oscar 2021 by the Whitley Fund for nature, UK and India Biodiversity Award 2021 respectively.

He stated that the various programme of the department like National Afforestation Programme, Brahmaputra Rejuvenation Plan along with the externally Aided projects, JICA assisted NFMP, KfW sponsored Biodiversity project and IFAD supported FOCUS project would make major contributions in preserving and restoring nature in the state.

Further, he highlighted that environmental disasters like ecosystem loss provided conditions for diseases like coronavirus to grow and spread. Rio, however, assured that the state government was doing its utmost to fight the pandemic. He congratulated the EF&CC department, the Assam Rifles and Nagaland police department for successfully organizing the commemoration of the event through plantation drives.

Giving a brief presentation, additional principal chief conservator of forest Vedpal Singh highlighted the progress of the joint plantation in various districts across the state. Singh stated that the target was to plant around three lakh seedlings across the state.

On the occasion, short speeches were also delivered by principal secretary EF&CC Ramakrishna Environment, IGAR (N) Maj. Gen. Kaushik, and DGP Nagaland T. John Longkumer.

In his speech, IGAR(N) highlighted the various green initiatives taken by Assam Rifles such as installation of solarlights, vermicomposting and rainwater harvesting across the state. DGP in his speech stated that this was the first collaborative effort between police and forest department and suggested that such joint efforts should continue henceforth.

Earlier, chairing the programme, principal chief conservator of forest & head of forest force Dharmendra Prakash welcomed all the participants and highlighted the significance of the World Environment Day.

The programme was attended by the DCs, SPs, DFOs and other field functionaries from all districts and M. Senthil Kumar, CCF proposed the vote of thanks.

After the virtual programme, plantation drive was carried out in the New DC office Complex, Dimapur led by the chief minister. Seedlings distribution programme in Kohima was flagged off by the PCCF &HoFF.

The virtual celebration witnessed the participation of the Assam Rifles and the Nagaland Police, who are partnering the EF&CC department in carrying out plantation drives across the state.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/wed-2021-cm-calls-for-reducing-carbon-footprint/234518.html