Shillong, June 5: Known for painting Himalayan hillsides in brilliant shades of crimson and pink every spring, the rhododendron has long captured the imagination of nature lovers, trekkers and photographers. On World Environment Day, Meghalaya chose the iconic flowering tree as the centrepiece of its environmental message.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday led a rhododendron plantation drive at Sangmein, Upper Shillong, calling for environmental responsibility to become a way of life rather than a once-a-year observance.
Organised by the Department of Forests and Environment under the theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” the initiative focused on the conservation and propagation of Rhododendron arboreum, known locally as Tiew Saw in Khasi and Latuthiñ in Jaintia.
The plantation was carried out along the Rhododendron Trek in Upper Shillong, a location increasingly recognised for its ecological significance and tourism potential. Students, government officials, community representatives and forest personnel joined the Chief Minister in planting saplings.
Addressing the gathering, Sangma stressed that environmental protection begins with everyday choices.
“For me, every day is Environment Day. All 365 days of the year should be Environment Day,” he said, urging citizens to adopt simple habits such as conserving energy, reducing waste, recycling and planting trees.
Beyond its ecological value, the Chief Minister said the rhododendron initiative could strengthen Meghalaya’s nature tourism sector by enhancing the beauty of trekking routes and natural landscapes while creating livelihood opportunities for local communities.
The choice of rhododendron carries special significance. Revered across the Himalayan region for its spectacular blooms and ecological importance, the flowering tree supports biodiversity, attracts pollinators and thrives in fragile mountain ecosystems. Conservationists regard it as an important indicator species in high-altitude forests, while its blossoms have become a symbol of the natural beauty of the eastern Himalayas.
By choosing the rhododendron for this year’s plantation drive, Meghalaya signalled an approach that links conservation, climate action and sustainable tourism — a reminder that protecting nature can also help create economic opportunities for future generations.
The programme concluded with the symbolic planting of rhododendron saplings by the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary Shakil P. Ahammed, students and other participants as part of the national “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign and the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) movement.
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