Shillong, July 30: Rotary Club of Orchid City Shillong organized a mega plantation drive under Project Hariyali-Trees for Future, sponsored by Mahindra Finance at Nongkhlaw Village, East West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya which started on Friday. Under the initiative, more than 300 fruit tree saplings (peach, plum, etc) were planted at Nongkhlaw Village on community lands identified by the Dorbar, the plantation drive concluded on Saturday.
Addl. Deputy Commissioner, EWKH District, A. Nongbri, joined the green movement as the chief guest and Prof. (Dr.) Dibyendu Paul, Department of Environmental Studies, NEHU, Shillong as the Guest of Honour. Headman of Nongkhlaw Dorbar Shnong, Klement, along with the members of the community, members of the Rotary Club of Orchid City Shillong, led by its Vice President, Rtn Vivek Kumar, participated in the green movement aimed to save the environment and increase the green scene.
Rtn Vivek Kumar, Chair-Project Hariyali, said that protecting environment is our collective responsibility and tree-sapling plantation is one of the ways of achieving it. Speaking about the importance of trees, he said that trees not only are the lungs of the planet, but also a life supporting various life-forms on and around it. He asked each member of the community to plant a tree sapling during the drive, tagging the tree with their name, pledge to take care of it as it grows.
He informed that under Project Hariyali plantation drive will be carried-out in different parts of state in the coming days. He said under this project, more focus is on the caring of planted young tree, engaging active participation from the members of the community as the young tree grows into an adult tree. The fruits from the trees would generate economy for the community.
Chief Guest, A. Nongbri thanked Rotary Club of Orchid City Shillong and Mahindra Finance for this wonderful initiative to support environment. He said that Project Hariyali is very meaningful initiative as it will not only improve environment, but also will generate income for people in the coming days. He said that he will make sure through the Dorbar that the planted saplings receive needed care as it grows. He also said that, as the Project Chair Rtn Vivek suggested, we will tag the tree with our names, adopting the saplings we plant and will pledge to take care of it as it grows.
Guest-of-honor Prof. Dibyendu Paul spoke on the benefits of tree plantation to environment and living beings including us. He said that tree and green cover play a very important role in regulating the local climate, supporting various forms of life by providing food and shelter and providing necessary materials for our growth and development. He asked everyone to take care of the planted tree saplings as it grows.
Klement, Headman of Nongkhlaw Dorbar, thanked the club for choosing the village as one of the plantation sites. He said that he along with the community members will ensure proper care to the planted young trees as it grows.
Project Chair Rtn Vivek Kumar thanked Deputy Commissioner’s office for supporting the green initiative and Nongkhlaw Dorbar for providing home to more than 300 fruit tree saplings with care. He thanked Mahindra Finance for sponsoring the project.
