Shillong: Meghalaya witnessed vibrant celebrations for World Environment Day, marked by a large-scale tree plantation drive and the launch of key environmental initiatives. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma led the event at Ummir Playground, New Shillong Township, where he personally planted ornamental trees, underscoring the importance of environmental conservation.
In his keynote address, Sangma urged citizens to move beyond passive concern and take active, daily responsibility for protecting Meghalaya’s fragile ecology.
Citing visible environmental degradation in West Khasi Hills and Mairang, he challenged Meghalayans to rethink their role in safeguarding natural resources.
“Every small action matters,” he emphasised, encouraging practices like conserving water, reducing plastic use, and responsible waste disposal.
Highlighting government efforts, the chief minister detailed the planting of over 1.84 crore saplings in the past five years and announced plans to afforest an additional 42,000 hectares.
He praised the community-driven GREEN Meghalaya+ program, India’s largest Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) initiative, which protects more than 52,000 hectares of forest through local partnerships—linking traditional sacred grove values with modern conservation methods.
The event also saw the unveiling of Mission Clean Shillong 2027, a campaign aligned with the upcoming National Games, aimed at transforming Shillong into one of India’s cleanest cities.
Sangma called for collective participation, stressing that sustainable urban cleanliness depends on individual accountability as much as government action.
In addition to the planting and awareness efforts, key policy documents including the “Mission Clean Shillong 2027” and “Building a Climate Resilient Green Economy” were released.
These blueprints set forth integrated strategies covering waste management, river rejuvenation, green mobility, and urban planning under the broader Meghalaya Vision 2032, which aspires for the state to rank among India’s leaders in sustainable development.
The celebrations concluded with awards recognising outstanding contributions to environmental stewardship from schools, colleges, local communities, and individuals.
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Notable recipients included St. Edmund’s College and B.K. Bajoria Higher Secondary School, alongside forest communities honoured for exemplary forest protection and youth leadership.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, Chief Secretary D.P. Wahlang, and several government officials and community representatives attended the event.
The chief minister closed the programme with a heartfelt appeal for ongoing personal commitment to environmental care, emphasising that lasting change begins with daily, collective actions by every citizen of Meghalaya.
