The Dimapur Forest Division, under the Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, organized a plantation drive on Thursday along the stretch of Supermarket. The plantation drive was held under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) where a total of 150 Nahor (Mesua Ferrea) trees and 300 Bougainvillea plants were planted.
Delivering a brief message, special guest, minister, Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Village Guards, CL John, emphasized the importance of tree plantation, and stated that plantation of trees should be emphasized particularly in schools and colleges.
He highlighted that despite of planting more trees, the Nagas were cutting them down and that “we are heading towards a bad change”. He called for a “green revolution” in the state, and urged every citizen to plant 5 to 10 trees each year to improve the environment.
He further requested the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) to help spread this message and encourage environmental stewardship.
Meanwhile, delivering the keynote address, commissioner & secretary, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Y Kikheto Sema pointed out that human being had failure to protect nature, and stressed the need to raise awareness about biodiversity, Earth, and climate change. “Climate change is no longer just barking but biting us now”, he said.
He also warned that if current trends continue, Dimapur might become uninhabitable due to rising temperatures.
Sema further called for discussions about climate change to be included not only in state government initiatives but also within families, Churches, and schools. He highlighted the role of church as the biggest and the strongest institution in the state, and thereby urged religious leaders to continue advocating for environmental conservation.
Sema also dwelled on the poor air quality concerns in the state, noting that while the average Air Quality Index (AQI) should be 100 micrograms per cubic meter, Dimapur and Kohima were currently below this average. He mentioned that Dimapur’s AQI was 96 micrograms per cubic meter in the first week of June, with Dhobinala being the most affected area.
He maintained that degradation of air quality in Dimapur was attributed not to industrial waste but to dust and lack of trees. He claimed that with proper road infrastructure, air quality could improve.
He further informed that the Urban Development Department would undertake beautification projects following the tree plantation initiative, and also requested citizens not to litter. He also appealed to GB Union, DMC, and administration to prevent establishment of bazaars in beautified areas and suggested installing CCTV cameras to ensure the area remains clean and safe.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by FUO and IC DFO Dimapur, Lhinghokim Touthang, invocation offered by principal, Eastern Bible College, Rev Dr Thungdemo Lotha. The programme was also attended by students of Eastern Bible College, who later participated in the plantation drive.