Shillong, June 5: Reaffirming its commitment to sustainable development, the Committee on Environment of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly observed World Environment Day with a tree plantation programme at the Assembly Secretariat Administrative Block in Khyndailad, Shillong. The event highlighted the state’s ongoing efforts to balance infrastructure growth with ecological preservation.
Wailadmiki Shylla, MLA (Jowai) and Chairman of the Committee on Environment, emphasised that conservation must be an integral part of Meghalaya’s development strategy. “Development and environmental protection must go hand in hand. Under the leadership of our Hon’ble Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who also holds the Forest portfolio, we are taking concrete steps to secure our natural future,” he said. He also highlighted the government’s Payment for Ecosystem Services scheme, which incentivises citizens to protect forests and preserve green cover.
The programme was attended by Timothy D Shira, Deputy Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly; Ollan Sing Suin, Committee Member and MLA (Mawsynram); Andrew Simons, Commissioner & Secretary of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly; Malthus S. Sangma, Secretary; C.P. Marak, Chairman of the Lokayukta; forest officers, co-opted members, and other dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion, Shylla added, “Trees are nature’s defence force. This symbolic act reflects our duty to protect the environment. Through this, we hope to inspire citizens—and especially the younger generation—to take environmental protection seriously.”
Deputy Speaker Timothy D Shira reflected on India’s ancient environmental values, citing Emperor Ashoka’s policies of planting trees along roads. “Our tribal communities—the Khasis, Jaintias, and Garos—have always shared a close bond with nature. But with increasing deforestation, streams are drying u,p and biodiversity is at risk. We must act now before the damage becomes irreversible,” he said.
Andrew Simons, Commissioner & Secretary, praised the initiative and those behind it. “It is only appropriate that on World Environment Day, we participate in this tree plantation drive. We thank the Environment Committee, especially Chairman Wailadmiki Shylla, Deputy Speaker Timothy D Shira, and Committee member Ollan Sing Suin, for taking this initiative forward. This effort, though small in scale, serves as an inspiration for future generations and reminds us of the critical role trees play in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.”
Saplings for the event were provided by the Forest Department of Meghalaya and planted within the Secretariat premises as a symbolic act of environmental commitment.
The Committee on Environment concluded by urging citizens across Meghalaya to take active roles in eco-friendly initiatives, underscoring that forest protection and water security are vital for the state’s future.
Also Read: NEHU crisis | Conrad thanks Centre for timely intervention, says student interest must come first
Also Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on-
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
