Tura, June 5: The World Environment Day was observed a day earlier by the Soil & Water Conservation Department, Tura, in collaboration with Rongram Community & Rural Development block at Sasatgre village on Saturday wherein North Tura MLA Thomas A Sangma inaugurated a newly constructed RCC Check Dam.
The dam comes under Soil & Water Conservation Department’s Sasatbol Rural Infrastructure Development Fund project which is funded by NABARD.
Speaking on the occasion as the Chief Guest, Thomas A Sangma briefly touched upon the history of World Environment Day. He spoke about how the survival of human species depends on survival of the planet. “If the world has to end because of our wrong-doings, we don’t have any other planet,” he said. “If we continue to misuse our world, by cutting down oxygen-giving trees and drying up our rivers, the ecological balance will be disturbed. We have to think about the consequences of this. That’s why, everyone has to take up the responsibility of protecting the nature,” he said.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Swapnil Tembe said when it comes to preserving nature, maintenance is as important as planting trees. He urged the village folk to do their best to maintain all the trees that are being planted.
Earlier, M. R Marak, BDO, Rongram C&RD, spoke about how the idea of ‘Only one Earth’ should resonate with everyone as we only have one Earth and it is the people’s choice that will either ruin it or save it. “Every year, the area receives many tourists from across the world. Why is that so? It’s because of the lush green forests and our cool waters,” he said, touching on the tourism potential of the place.
“Many rivers and streams stem from this area and its surrounding areas,” he added, urging all the stakeholders to protect and preserve the nature.
Mentionably, Soil & Water Conservation Department is taking up the initiative to carry out mass afforestation of West Garo Hills. Later in the day, all those present for the celebration scattered seed bombs and planted saplings on a plot of land at a walkable distance from the newly constructed dam.
