Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 207/14

STATE OBSERVES WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

Shillong, June 5, 2014: Together with the rest of the World, World Environment Day on the Slogan “Raise your voice, not the sea level” was observed today at College of Teacher Education (PGT), Shillong where Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Meghalaya Shillong, Mr. C P Marak, graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

Referring to the present situation of climate change and global warming which has greatly affected the environment Mr. C P Marak called upon the people to adopt environment friendly method in utilizing land and forest resources. While expressing appreciation that schools and colleges have included environmental studies in their curriculum, he hoped that this initiative would be translated into a reality for a sustainable growth.

Mr. C Manjunath, Divisional Forest Officer, Khasi Hills Territorial Division, Shillong has presented the Power point on Environment issues with special reference to the State of Meghalaya. He pointed out the adverse impact of unscientific method of mining, deforestation and other causes of pollution and land degradation. Therefore, he called upon the people to resolve to bring a change and to protect our environment.

To mark the day, the Forest Department distributed sapling for planting in and around the college campus. Earlier in the programme, Dr. V Kharmawphlang, Principal, College of Teacher Education, (PGT), Shillong welcomed the gathering while Mr. S A Nongsiej, Divisional Forest Officer, Social Forestry Division, East Khasi Hills, Shillong proposed the vote of thanks.

World Environment Day was also observed by the Social Forestry Division, West Khasi Hills District, Nongstoin at Nativity Secondary School, Mawkyrwat. To mark the occasion, trees and fruits saplings were planted in different areas of the district. The Mawthawpdah Riling Fishing Association had organized Environment awareness cum tree plantation at Rohbah Fish Sanctuary where Additional Deputy Commissioner Mrs. I Mawlong attended the function as Chief Guest.

Similar programme was also organized by the office of the S.D.O (Civil) Amlarem Sub Division at Syiem Jingsuk Secondary School, Amlarem to celebrate the World Environment Day. Shri Holando Lamin, MDC, War Central graced the occasion as the Chief Guest in the presence of Mr. N.A.K Syiem S.D.O (Civil), Amlarem Sub Division, Smti B. Blah, EAC, Smti J. Kharpuri, EAC, Smti R. Passah, CDPO, Amlarem Subdivision, students, teachers, headmen and farmers of the Sub-Division.

As part of the function, short films on positive and negative practices related to environmental protection and preservation were also screened followed by planting of tree saplings in and around the school premises.

Press Release No. 211/14

GOVERNOR TAKES PART IN WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY OBSERVATION

Shillong, June 5, 2014: As part of the World Environment Day 2014 observation, the Meghalaya Governor, Dr. K K Paul today planted tree saplings at Raj Bhavan premises and at Wards Lake, Shillong in the presence of Mr. M S Rao, Principal Secretary to the Governor and Forest and Environment department, Mr. C P Marak, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Meghalaya, Mr. S A Nongsiej, District Forest Officer, Social Forestry Division, East Khasi Hills.

It may be mentioned that the tree saplings planted by the Governor is the Himalayan Blue Pine and its scientific name is Pinus wallichiana from the family of Pinaceae.

The Himalayan Blue Pine tree is indigenous to temperate zones of the Himalayas from Afghanistan to Bhutan between latitude 27 degrees to 28 degrees North and between elevations of 1220 metres to 3660 metres and where mean annual rainfall is between 1016 to 1905 mm with heavy snowfall in winter.

The tree tolerates wide range of soils provided it is not excessively wet or dry and the tree naturally regenerates abundantly in openings. The evergreen conifer tree reached up to 40 metres in height. The trees also form good, early growth slow, frost resistant and fire tender, slightly drought resistant and light demander.

The leaves of the tree in fascicles of five are 12 to 18 cm long, flexible along their length, often droop gracefully and cones are long and slender between 16 to 32 cm and their seeds are 5 to 6 mm long with 20 to 30 mm wing.

The tree yield timber of good quality, resinous, fairly light, moderately hard, durable and easily worked. The main uses of the timber of the tree are for general construction timber, interior finish, joinery, tea chests, resin, shelter, pulpwood and soil conservation.