DIMAPUR, JUNE 4 (MExN): On the occasion of World Environment Day (WED) 2024 which is observed on June 5, Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, CL John called for reaffirming our collective responsibility to protect and preserve the environment.
“God has blessed our Nagaland with bountiful nature. We have best of climatic conditions, quite conducive for our living. The air we breathe and the water in our rivers is one of the cleanest on the planet. At this juncture, when entire north India is experiencing unprecedented heat waves, many of us don’t even require a fan. However, let this not make us complacent and lower our commitments towards environment as we also face environmental challenges,” the Minister said in a message.
Dwelling on this year’s theme for WED 2024, “Land Restoration, Desertification and Draught resilience,” the Minister maintained that desertification may not be a direct challenge, but the issue of land degradation is afflicting the State.
He highlighted that in many areas, soils are losing its fertility through run-off of the nutrients and the erratic nature of rainfall and shift in various seasons are being felt by the State, which, he pointed out, are direct consequence of climate change.
The Minister maintained that the Department of Environment Forest and Climate Change has been actively engaging is various activities involving all stake-holders with needful actions like awareness programs, run for nature, saplings distribution, alternate livelihood programs, use of renewal energy, vertical gardens, urban parks, radio talks and articles in local news dailies.
DEFCC is now actively collaborating with churches, schools, village councils, police and CSOs to make this campaign an inclusive and sustainable one, he added.
The Minister said Nagaland State is a pioneer in establishing Community Reserves (CRs) for protection of wildlife and environment while citing instance of the protection accorded to Amur Falcons which has received international recognition and appreciation.
The Minister, meanwhile, extended appreciation to all individuals/ CSOs / schools/ village institutions etc, for coming forward to participate in various programs and activities organised as part of the WED 2024 celebrations. He also appreciated the churches for speaking on the subject of environment and nature in their services on June 2 across the State.
