Meghalaya targets record of planting 1.5 million trees on June 5

Shillong: In a noble initiative eyeing to set a world record, the Meghalaya government has launched a campaign to plant over 1.5 million saplings across 306 spring sheds in the state on the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5.

By launching the campaign titled, ‘One Citizen One Tree’, CM Conrad K Sangma appealed people to take the responsibility of planting a sapling and nurturing it in an effort to preserve the lush green mountains and increase the green cover of the hill state.

“I appeal to the citizens of #Meghalaya to join the campaign and be part of our mission to plant 1.5 million trees this #WorldEnvironmentDay. Our journey to create greener earth should continue beyond the celebration of World Environment Day,” Sangma tweeted.

The mission will be executed by the state soil & water conservation department under schemes such as rejuvenation and climate proofing of spring-sheds for livelihood, and water and food security in Meghalaya, funded by the Union ministry of environment, forests & climate change under the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change through National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development.

All the 11 districts in the hill state will be covered under the mass plantation drive wherein indigenous plants raised by the community will be provided to citizens who want to participate in the campaign.

Also Read: ILP for Meghalaya: A case of the cure being worse than the disease

In 46 community and rural development blocks, 10 villages per block will plant around 1,000 saplings bringing the total to 4,60,000 trees. The planting material will be locally sourced either from community-run nurseries or from village forests.

Moreover, saplings will also be planted in vulnerable catchment areas of Umiew, which forms a part of the greater Shillong water supply, and Ganol, which is a part of the greater Tura water supply.

The campaign also aims to mobilise 20 villages each from both the catchment areas with residents from both Shillong and Tura will visit these places to participate in the largest plantation drive.

Avenue trees, preferably flowering at different seasons of the year, will also be planted along national highways like Shillong-Nongstoin-Tura Road. Villagers along the identified stretches have been mobilised to ensure active community participation.

Significantly, a massive social media campaign has already been launched by the state government wherein citizens of state can register to participate in the mass plantation drive, targeting plantation of 1.5 million trees by just clicking on the registration form provided in the platforms.