(LEFT) Participants during the awareness programme held in commemoration of World Forestry Day at the Botanical Garden, Kohima on March 21. (RIGHT) Students and others during the tree plantation around Sirhi Angami community local ground and Government Primary School, Medziphema on March 21.
Kohima, March 22 (MExN): The Forestry Graduates Association of Nagaland (FGAN) in collaboration with the Department of Environment Forest and Climate Change held an awareness programme to commemorate World Forestry Day at the Botanical Garden, Kohima on March 21.
A total of 22 students from Fernwood Higher Secondary School, Kohima were invited to participate in the programme. State Silviculturist, Lhinghoikim Touthang, IFS educated the students to honour the forest and the environment. He emphasised on the role of the forest as a 'caregiver' to the human species.
The welcome speech was addressed by Yapang Pongen, President, FGAN. Tekameren enlightened the students on Nagaland's State bird, animal, tree and flower. Onenjungshi, Forest Department Photographer and Subongchiten Jamir, Vice President, FGAN shared on the importance of keystone species and the conscious management of ecological balance through the game Jenga.
The programme ended with a nature trail along the botanical garden showcasing the importance of various trees and its uses.
In another event, World Forestry Day was marked by plantation of Rain Tree saplings around Sirhi Angami community local ground and Government Primary School by students with the theme ‘forests and sustainable production and consumption.’
Forest Ranger cum Field Management Unit (FMU) Head, Medziphema Florence T Sangtam while addressing the student’s and communities reminded that forest offers unlimited resources to all living beings on this earth. Yet people find it hard to balance between the give and take relationships with nature and often ask for too much.
The Ranger said “Forests are the world’s air-conditioning system- the lungs of the planet- and we are on the verge of switching it off. Therefore, she appealed to all the participants that before it's too late, the world should start a movement to safeguard the forests of today for the better tomorrow.
FNGO Team leader, NFMP Kumzuk Pongen also sensitised the need to protect and preserve the forestsand to be responsible towards nature.
Pencils, sharpeners and erasers were distributed to all the students. Pledges were conducted for the students to protect forest and minimized the use of natural resources.
The programme was chaired by Forest Guard, Visakounou, while Vote of thanks was delivered by Lipok Jamir, Dy Ranger. The Forest Ranger further credited the ENVIS, Nagaland Pollution Control Board for the Pamphlets provided for the students. Altogether 60members attended the programme.
