Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 11
The Entrepreneurs Associates (tEA) today organised ‘Run to Reforest’ from High School Junction to Indira Gandhi Stadium Kohima under its flagship programme “Trees for Wealth.”
The Run to Reforest billed as “R2 Run” is the first of its kind in the state with runners both young and old, committing to support tree plantation and reforestation in the state.
The elders present on the occasion, planted an acorn in a hollow tree trunk as a symbolic act of unleashing a tree plantation in Nagaland.
The Run witnessed over 500 participants from within and outside the state under “Trees for Wealth” motto “Micro by One, Volume by Mass.”
TfW movement has so far covered 7 lakh fruit trees plantation with the support of patrons, well-wishers and CSRs.
‘Tree plantation will trigger trillion rupees economy in future’
Flagging off the run at High School Junction, Er Lanu Toy maintained that R2 Run will serve as a source of great encouragement for everyone to do the same. He added that as the former Chief Electrical Engineer of Nagaland and in various other capacities, he always initiated tree plantations in all project areas to nurture the environment.
Neikule Doulo, Executive Director of tEA, emphasised how Nagas have been good keepers of the environment in the past and how scientific environmental practices such as pollarding, in rural areas even today reflect community knowledge and wisdom.
Advocating that ‘we must learn from our heritage’ she encouraged the students and participants to take learning from the past into the future.
tEA CEO Neichute Doulo said “Over the years, I have realized that fruit trees can be a wonderful programme to not only develop sustainable livelihood and fight climate change but to also give confidence to our people.”
He further elaborated on the ultimate objective of TfW i.e., to plant 1 billion fruit trees and 2 billion non-fruit trees by 2050.
Urging the participants to support the cause, he added that the tree plantation exercise does not just positively impact climate change but also will trigger a trillion rupees economy in the future, through the promotion of ancillary activities.
‘Creative and imaginative community event’
Neiketu Iralu, a social analyst, lauded tEA for always nurturing innovation and deeply inspiring doable initiatives that are inclusive of everybody. He urged both young and old to be united through this event and make “R2 Run” as the beginning of healing for our homeland. “We are a part of the lung of mankind. We should take care of that lung,” he said.
Dr Dietho-o Yhoshu, General Physician also described the R2 Run as a ‘creative and imaginative community event’ and further addressed the need to nurture a green environment to improve the quality of life.
Earlier, the Run started with a prayer by Rev Dr Vevo Phesao, President, Chakhesang Baptist Churches Council while thanksgiving prayer was pronounced by Rev H Moba Konyak, Pastor, Konyak Baptist Church. Ale Thele, Social Media Associate, tEA performed a special number.
Presently, tEA is working with nearly 27,000 farmers across Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh through various Agri-promotion livelihood initiatives.
WINNERS OF R2 RUN
• Professional category: 1st- Wede T Mero; 2nd-Nokching Chang; 3rd- Shiangjiu T Khiamniungan
• College category: 1st- Kelengoto Kulnu; 2nd- Shosu Pohena; 3rd-Chunchanglungbou Newmai
• School category: 1st- Kughaho Swu; 2nd-Thejangulie Sote; 3rd-Thejanguzo Pfukha
• Students below 12 years: 1st- Lutu; 2nd-Thejasesi Suokhrie; 3rd-Pelevotuo Zumu
