SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
MEGHALAYA

January - June, 2002.

World Environment Day was celebrated throughout the State on the 5th June, 2002. Offices of the Soil Conservation Department organized programmes at their respective areas involving participation from communities and schools.

In the East Khasi Hills, the North East India Council for Social Science Research under sponsorship of the Soil Conservation Department organized a seminar on "Mother Earth in the context of North East India" at Don Bosco Youth Centre, Shillong. Shri S.S. Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Minister of Soil Conservation, Meghalaya was the Chief Guest at the Inaugural Function. During the Seminar, the Director of Soil Conservation presented a paper entitled ‘Endangered Water Resources of Meghalaya.’

All the officers of the Soil And Water Conservation Department from East Khasi Hills, various NGOs, North Eastern Hill University students and others attended the seminar.

In Jaintia Hills, the programme was held at Ka Syiem Jingsuk Secondary School, Amlarem. The programme was organized by the Jaintia Hills Soil Conservation Divisions (T) and (CC) in collaboration with the Education Department, Jaintia Hills District. The meeting was chaired by Smti. B. Lamare, Inspector of Schools, Jaintia Hills District. Besides, students of Ka Syiem Jingsuk School, students of other schools in Amlarem Sub-Division and local people also attended the meeting.

Shri R.L. Tariang, Minister, Border Areas Development and local representative was the Chief Guest at the function. He distributed prizes at the end of the function to the winners of the School Level Essay Competition which was conducted earlier and participated by all the schools in the Sub-division as part of the programme.

In Ri-Bhoi District, the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Wild Life Forest Protection and Association, Raid Nongtluh in collaboration with the Soil and Water Conservation Department and the Forest Department, Ri-Bhoi District, Nongpoh had organized a programme to observe the World Environment Day on 5th June, 2002 at Madan Heh, Umden, Raid Nongtluh. Shri D.D. Lapang, Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya was the Chief Guest and the Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi Districts and other officials from various Departments were also present at the function.

On the occasion, a Tree Planting programme was organized in the village and the school of the Raid Nongtluh.

Tree Planting Programme in the School Campus

In the West Khasi Hills, the World Environment Day was celebrated at the Anderson English School, Nongstoin where the Soil and Water Conservation Department in collaboration with the Forest and the Education Departments organized various programmes such as Debate and Science Competitions and writing of Slogans were conducted for the students of various schools of West Khasi Hills district.

The Divisional Soil Conservation Officer, Nongstoin delivered a lecture on Environmental Awareness and Shri P. Rapthap, Assistant Soil Conservation Officer was the Judge at the Competition.

The Tura Soil Conservation (T) Division also organized a programme to celebrate the World Environment Day on 5th June, 2002 at Chidekgre village in West Garo Hills District. Shri M.R. Marak, Hon’ble Minister i/c. Food & Civil Supplies was the Chief Guest at the function. Shri E.K. Sangma, Chief Executive Member, Garo Hills District Council and the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills District, Tura, Shri B. Purkayastha were the Guests of Honour. The function was presided over by Shri B.M. Sangma, Soil Conservation Officer and Executive Officer, MCCDB and Shri R.W. Momin, Joint Director of Soil Conservation, Tura welcomed the gathering at the beginning of the function.

Towards the end of the function, the Chief Guest and other dignitaries, distributed about 35,000 nos. arecanut seedlings and 4000 nos. forest species seedlings to the villagers of 11 villages through their respective Nokmas.

Similar programmes were also organized at different villages in the district such as Raphagre, Amongpara, Deluagre, Dingrenggre, Tapgragre, Chokkongre, Rongsang Songma & Renggitchigre to give a general awareness of environmental degradation to the public, particularly to the rural people.

SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION MEGHALAYA NEWSLETTER. Vol. 3 (3) January - June, 2002