Chizokho Vero
Kohima | April 23
Nagaland today took the “Green Pledge” to save planet earth and also announced to formulate the State Action Plan for Climate Change. “Let us come together to celebrate Earth Day and pledge to save earth our “beautiful home,” Minister for Forest M.C Konyak told the Earth Day here today and further challenged the people to create green schools, green homes, green offices and go green to protect the earth against climate change.
“Together we will stand united for a sustainable future,” he said and called upon all individuals, organizations and all stakeholders to do their part to save the planet earth. Over the past century, he said, the world has fallen into a pattern of unsustainable economic growth, adding that accelerated consumption of fossil fuels and deforestation are the most visible examples of how, in the effort to support our lifestyles, “we are exhausting the planet’s natural resources and aggravating climate change, which is in turn threatens life-sustaining eco-systems and the economy.”
“Our situation increasingly demands a transition to a green economy that does not worsen climate change or destroy the planet in order to generate profits,” he said adding that development of renewable energy and clean technology sectors must be accelerated to begin the shift to a post-carbon economy.
Planting more trees should be encouraged to help mitigate against climate change, he added.
“A green economy not only protects ourselves and our planet, but has the potential of generating millions of jobs as we develop and install new technologies, rebuild and retrofit buildings and devise new processes and modes of production,” the minister said.
Stating that Nagaland is also vulnerable to the effects of climate change, the minister said “Our forest area is dwindling and there is scarcity of water in different parts of the state and also people set fire to forests destroying the pristine forests. Recent example is Dzuku valley where miscreants set fire where we lost a part of fragile eco system resulting in loss of biodiversity and this happening many parts of the state.”
The minister also stressed on the need to create awareness among all stakeholders including school children, NGOs, women and government servants.
“It is only collectively that we can protect the environment and fight against climate change,” he said adding that plant acts as natural sink of Carbon dioxide and other pollutants. He requested the public to plant trees for our survival.
Later, the Minister distributed eco-friendly bags to some organizations and other agencies dealing with environment and climate change.
Elusing Meru, Secretary Forest & Environment said the Nagaland State Action Plan for Climate Change has been already initiated in consonance with the National Action Plan for Climate Change, and the state is in the process of bringing out the state action plan.
He told the gathering that a meeting for this purpose has been scheduled for April 24 to decide the course of action plan which will be presented to Steering Committee before submitting the same to Government of India. He said a draft action plan has been adopted and invited the public to go through the government website and give suggestion if any.
C.L. Goel, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and head of forest force asserted that Earth Day gave an opportunity to all stakeholders to come together and pledge to save the environment. Goel also requested all to live eco-friendly styles to save the planet.
M. Lokeswara Rao, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Environment & Climate Change) administered the Green Pledge, which was joined by Forest Minister and all dignitaries and public gathered. Earlier, Albert Solo, Chief Conservator of Forests (Environment, Biodiversity & Research) gave an introduction about the day. Tree plantation and distribution of seedlings to the public also marked the occasion. Vote of thanks was proposed by Temjanyabang Jamir, IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forests.
