World Environment Day, sustaining livelihood.
Meghalaya celebrated with the rest of the world, World Environment Day, on June 5, as one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) induces worldwide awareness of the environment and action plan towards its preservation.
The Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) along with the Forest Department, Government of Meghalaya took an awakening leap of recognizing the importance of sustainable livelihoods and development within the urban and rural areas. It was not just a tree planting exercise. However it was trying to understand to taking a small lead in changing the paradigm in how we address, Population and consumption that is spiraling out of control both in the rural and urban areas. The government is concentrating within the rural environment and identifying the livelihoods opportunities for sustainable growth.
The Chief Guest at the program was Dr. Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya. There were several other dignitaries and participants at the program including several schools from East Khasi Hills District, NGOs, government officials and other members of society who attended the function at U Soso Tham Auditorium, at Shillong.
The Chief Minister stress it is an important day for every human being to contribute to recharging a positive impact for a sustainable ecology through promoting sustainable livelihoods. “Our own livelihoods is impacted by end of result of how we live today. We are capable to lead through sensitizing the younger generations to be alert and vigilant citizens to gain the attention of the affairs of the policy makers. To be responsible to the challenges of a livable multifaceted approach. By sharing the light the kind of ambassadors we want to have for our environment. The thinking that is needed.”
The Chief Minister outline Shillong City as an example. “Are we in a comfortable place to stay? We can draw our own analysis and judgement. If today we see what Shillong is? It is because of what it was, it’s charm. Today, we need to relook at how to plant our habitation, our locality and our cities. It is not a smart city but a livable city. A city that is not subjected to pollution for the next population.”
“In this era of technology, we need to gain access to limitless knowledge and information to enlighten us to make it a part of human behavior in our life’s and the next generation. We need to sustain a livelihood that is dealing in various rural habitations. If rural habitations are not able to sustain in creating livelihoods abilities. People from the rural areas will continue to migrate. The strategy is to sustain livelihood in the villages, it is the actual myntra. Therefore we need to be more pro-active in recreating sustainable ecology. A direct future for our children and theirs.” The Chief Minister mentioned.
Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister of Urban Affair, Government of Meghalaya also outline “It is our generation that has to make a strong call to correct the errors of the past and maintain to sustain for the future generations to inherit making the change that is required. We are all held accountable. This conclave meeting is a step forward in being responsible to connect a transparent new partnership of initiatives of optimism of a livable state.”
The Meghalaya government had taken various activities at the District Level before the World Environment Day. It has initiated towards preserving the environment through plantation exercise in Mawphlang Block with the active participation of the community. Under the Mission Green Campaign, the District Administration is trying to work out on a new initiative of promoting chool nurseries, where school children are encouraged to plant trees and flowers in their school nurseries and nurture them for use in the localities and school projects. To get the children have a clear understanding on the importance of environment protection.
