HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, June 5: LGBI Airport, on the occasion of World Environment Day, announced the launch of its electric vehicle (EV) tug for ground handling operations, with Indigo Airlines as the first stakeholder to embrace this initiative.
Inaugurating the first tug at LGBI Airport, Baruah said, “It is the beginning of a new era. LGBIA has mandated that all fossil fuel operated vehicles be replaced by electrical tugs within the shortest time possible. The upcoming new integrated terminal building which is likely to be operational towards the end of the next year will have several environmental sustenance features including 100 percent use of electrical vehicles. Awareness of the environment is not an occasional celebration but a way of life.”
He appealed to all the stakeholders to embrace this and ensure a better world for the generations to come and thanked Joydeep Sarkar, associate director, Indigo for being the first pioneer of the change.
The airport planted more than 400 trees across the airport premises and a drawing competition was also held inside the airport institution among the children to increase the awareness of the day.
Likewise, Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, general manager of NF Railway planted saplings in the lawns of Guwahati Railway Greens, Amingaon in North Guwahati along with other senior officials of headquarter to mark this occasion. A booklet on ‘Environment and Housekeeping Management’ was also released by the general manager and tree plantation along with various other awareness drives were also carried out in all the five divisions of Northeast Frontier Railway with participation of railway officials.
Speaking on the occasion, the general manager said, “NF Railway is taking multiple initiatives on all fronts to reduce adverse impact on the environment. Northeast Frontier Railway predominantly functions in the ecologically sensitive areas of the north-east region.”
“Accordingly, various initiatives like conserving green belt along the tracks, afforestation, water conservation, solid waste management, railway electrification to reduce carbon di-oxide emission, energy conservation by using LED lights, initiatives for renewable energy, harnessing solar energy, bio-friendly disposal of effluent discharge from the rolling stock along with various other environment friendly measures were taken by NF Railway,” the general manager added.
In the same manner, Aaranyak also celebrated the day by planting around 2000 saplings of native tree species at Bahairabkunda in Udalguri district of Assam to replenish the habitat inhabited by threatened species such as the Asian elephants, with the help from around 150 SSB personnel, members of Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC) and local communities.
For this purpose, Aaranyak collaborated with Dhansiri Forest Division, Dhansiri Sikaridanga JFMC and 61 Bn SSB, Bhairabkunda. The programme was supported by the SBI Foundation. Aaranyak’s conservationists Dr Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar, Dr Alolika Sinha, Rabiya Daimary, Abhijit Saikia, Dibakar Nayak, Didom Daimary, Pradeep Barman and Bijoy Kalita planned and organised the event. Ajay Salve, a student of Azim Premji University, who is currently an intern in Aaranyak, was also present during the event.
“It is noteworthy that as a long-term measure of reducing human elephant conflict and safeguarding wild elephants, we are working towards habitat improvement through plantation, and managing invasion,” said Dr Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar.
Our Tezpur correspondent adds: With the rest of the state, marking the World Environment Day, different organisations, Sonitpur district administration, NGOs, academic institutions and even individually organised programmes like plantation drive, environmental awareness meet, cleanliness drive, street play, etc., were held in and around Tezpur on Monday.
In connection with the day, the CSR wing of Dabur, Jivanti Welfare and Charitable Trust at Uhanipathar Dhekidol under Ghoramari Gaon Panchayat conducted a massive plantation drive in the area. The organisation informed that the plantation drive started on the day will continue and cover more than 3000 sqm area with saplings like mahogany, titasopa and sandalwood.
Taking part in the event, among other noted personalities of the greater Ghoramari area, Usha Rani Basumatary, president of Baliapara Anchalik Panchayat representatives from Dabur India Limited planted saplings. In Khelmati High School, under Bandarmari panchayat, teachers and the students took out a rally in the area to create awareness among the people on rapid growth of ecological issues and planted saplings. Meanwhile, recognising importance of the day Brig Raman Kumar SV, chief engineer and all ranks of Project Vartak, Tezpur organised a tree plantation drive and all rank holders took a took a pledge to save environment and ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ followed by visiting ‘DARPAN’, Old Age Home, in the town wherein the officers interacted with the elders.
On the other hand, Tarun Asom Sangha organised a felicitation programme and felicitated environmentalists namely Saurabh Barkataki, Professor Harendra Nath Morang, and Kumud Baruah for their immense contribution towards creating awareness on ecological balance. It is also to be mentioned here that to mark the day, Pragati Women’s Association, Tezpur University undertook an environmental awareness campaign by uprooting the deadliest parthenium at certain places in between Parwa and Tezpur University campus. Maitri Sangha, a women’s organisation here planted trees in the premises of the Cancer Care Center – ‘Deepshikha’ in Mazgaon area. Darrang College at Tezpur also organised different programmes to celebrate the day.
Moreover, two youths (sand artists) from Dhekiajuli — Ranjan Saikia and Dipankar Sundi have attracted the common people towards environmental issues through their sand art among the students at various academic institutions. The LOKD College in Dhekiajuli also conducted various events to mark the day. Dr Sukdev Adhikari, the principal of the college formally inaugurated the bamboo garden set up in the college by planting a bamboo sapling.
Our Nagaon correspondent adds: Along with the rest of the globe, Nagaon district administration, Municipality Board, Nagaon Forest Division, various educational institutions as well as NGOs celebrated World Environment Day on Monday here.
On the occasion, Nagaon district administration in collaboration with Nagaon Municipality Board conducted a massive plantation drive across the small town with the theme – ‘Solutions to plastic pollution’ under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution.
The programme was initiated by planting a sapling at Nagaon Marar Park by Narendra Kr Shah, deputy commissioner, Nagaon.
While addressing the occasion, DC Narendra Kr Shah urged the people of the small town to inherit environment friendly behaviour change in their day-to-day life for a greenery world at large.
ADC Debahuti Bora, ADC Bikram Chetri, chairman of Nagaon Municipality Board Ambika Mazumdar, vice chairman Simanta Bora and other officials from district administration were also present in the inaugural programme.
DC Narendra Kumar Shah also attended a street play staged on the theme at Nagaon – Morigaon bus stand. The play was performed under the initiative of the Forest department in collaboration with Cultural Affairs, government of Assam by ‘Gandhar’ – a leading cultural organisation of Dimaruguri Tiniali.
Similarly, NGOs like Gram Vikas Parishad, Nagaon, Sadou Asom Puthibharal Sanstha, Panthatoru, etc., also observed the day with a day-long programme including plantation drives across the town. Besides, Ashok Kumar Borthakur, a retired district agriculture officer led a massive plantation drive at his native village Tulsi Deori areas and planted various saplings of local trees at the campuses of religious and other socio-cultural organisations or institutions like schools, temples, namghar, etc. The entire fund for the drive was afforded by the retired district agriculture officer Ashok Kumar Borthakur himself, a release stated here.
Our Sivasagar correspondent adds: The monthly newspaper Rangpur Barta, published from Hanhchora, Sivasagar, in association with Nature’s Bacon observed the World Environment Day on Monday.
Bharat Chetia, an educationist, presided over the meeting which was held on the occasion after the plantation of saplings. Releasing the June, 2023 edition of Rangpur Barta in the meeting, Manoj Kumar Borthakur, said that Rangpur Barta has been serving the rural newspaper readers of the district with sincerity and has been devoting itself in highlighting environment issues regularly.
The organisers felicitated ornithologist Hiren Dutta of Dikhowmukh. Dutta in his speech said that for nature conservation, one need not go far, it begins with one’s home environment. Jyotisman Gogoi, a class 10 student, spoke on the birth of synthetic plastic. Dr J Khan of Nature’s Bacon and Brajen Phukan, editor Rangpur Barta, conducted a quiz among the students.
Pranjit Dutta, deputy controller, Civil Defence, said, “The total mass of polythene is more than other garbage in the dustbins which is alarming.”
The meeting was attended by Uzzal Borthakur, forest range officer, Dr Simanta Barua, professor, BLB College, Prasanta Borgohain, Kirty Borthakur, HM, Cherekapar High School, Srimanta Dutta, Abdul Motif, retired ONGCian, Troilykya Dutta, teacher, Bhubaneswar Chutia, former ONGC officer, Mira Barua Chetia, Aruna Knowar, and Samudra Gogoi.
Our Margherita correspondent adds: World Environment Day was celebrated at Zero Point Park, Lekhapani under 124 no Margherita constituency of Tinsukia district which was organised by Margherita Assembly Youth Congress Committee in collaboration with Margherita Block Congress Committee.
The programme was launched with a cleanliness drive, plantation of saplings and a peaceful protest done through placards by all present Congress leaders and workers.
Avishek Kumar Beldar, president of Margherita Assembly Youth Congress Committee said, “Deforestation is rampant in 124 no Margherita constituency, but we, the members and workers of Indian National Congress have wholeheartedly contributed in plantation of the saplings for a better environment.”
Tara Prasad Dehingia, president of Margherita Block Congress Committee said, “Under the banner of Margherita Assembly Youth Congress Committee and in collaboration with Margherita Block Congress Committee, we have organised World Environment Day programme at historical Zero Point Park, Lekhapani”
Dehingia further said, “It is very unfortunate and painful that former 124 no Margherita constituency MLA and minister Pradyut Bordoloi have renovated this park and in the year 2016 inaugurated it for the general public. Unfortunately, the park has turned into a graveyard as miscreants have destroyed the park and many precious items have been stolen due to which we appeal to Margherita sub-divisional administration (civil) to look into this.”
Our Biswanath Chariali correspondent adds: Agriculture and Animal Husbandry minister Atul Bora attended a plantation drive programme at Biswanath on Monday on the occasion of World Environment Day at Biswanath College of Agriculture.
Bora attended the programme as a chief guest and interacted with the teachers and students. Addressing the gathering, minister Bora made a humble appeal to all to avoid the use of plastic and appealed to all to join hands in preserving the ecological balance. He planted a sapling inside the college premises. The session was attended by Prabin Hazarika, chairman of Seed Corporation, Padmanav Das, special duty officer to the minister, Dr Rao, director of Farm Machinery, Biswanath, Dhrubajyoti Das, ADC, Agriculture, Biswanath, Dr Ranendra Nath Barman, associate dean, Biswanath College of Agriculture beside other dignitaries. Along with this, under the aegis of Biswanath sub-division administration and Gohpur sub-division administration a series of programmes were carried out to commemorate the day.
In the similar degree, under the aegis of Environment and Climate Cell of Biswanath College, the college also conducted various programmes.
The day started with a plantation drive carried out within the campus by the teachers, staff, NCC cadets, office bearers of Biswanath College Students’ Union and other students of the college.
An awareness programme was also held by the Environment and Climate Cell of Biswanath College in association with the district administration and Biswanath Chariali Municipal Corporation. The programme compered by Dr Biswajit Sarma was chaired by Dr Chinta Mani Sharma, principal of the college. Prof Bhakta Prashad Gautam, HoD, Horticulture department of Biswanath College of Agriculture graced the awareness programme as resource person. The session was inaugurated by Amarjyoti Borthakur, chairman of Biswanath Municipal Board and attended by Dhrubajyoti Das, ADC Biswanath sub-division, Debashis Goswami, executive officer of Biswanath Chariali Municipal Board, Bichitra Das, assistant commissioner of Biswanath sub-division, teachers, staff and students of Biswanath College besides the officials of Biswanath Municipal Corporation.
Dr Chinta Mani Sharma, principal of Biswanath College offered a warm welcome to the gathering. He highlighted the problem of plastic pollution in the global scenario. Amarjyoti Borthakur, chairman of Biswanath Chariali Municipal Board elaborated the steps undertaken by the board to curb the plastic pollution in the area under its jurisdiction. In his speech, the ADC of Biswanath sub-division, Dhrubajyoti Das also expressed his views on plastic pollution. The resource person of the programme, Prof Bhakta Prasad Gautam emphasised on the harmful effects of plastic on health and environment. He urged the audience to follow the 5Rs i.e. Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle of plastic to control the pollution caused by plastics.
The programme was organised with the aim to create awareness about the pressing environmental issues and the importance of sustainable practices. The event successfully brought various stakeholders together to collectively work towards preserving and protecting the environment. The programme was concluded with a vote of thanks offered by Debashis Goswami. Meanwhile, as a measure of sustainable practice, the vermicompost produced by the Zoology department under the initiative of Dr Rahul Sarma were sold to the audience to imbibe a sense of using green practice in place of chemical fertiliser. It is noteworthy that an amount of Rs 3000 was collected by selling the vermicompost.
Our Kokrajhar correspondent adds: Along with the rest of the state, the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) districts also joined the World Environment Day celebration on Monday, with a day-long programme scheduled.
In Udalguri, chief executive member of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Pramod Boro graced the occasion of world environment day as chief guest which was organised at Nalbari playground in Udalguri district.
Boro planted saplings to mark the day amidst presence of huge participation of citizens including BTR executive member Dr Nilut Swargiary at Mazbat Degree College & KBR Degree College in Udalguri district. He also inaugurated the newly installed statue of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, former ABSU president at Nalbari playground and newly constructed District Library Building at Udalguri.
Boro also laid foundation stones to construct the Infrastructure Development of Mazbat Degree College & construction of New College Building of Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha Degree College, Orang under SOPD EDN/BTC 2022-23.
In Kokrajhar, the students’ union activists of All Bodo Students Union of Kokrajhar district carried out a cleanliness drive with the venture to beat plastic pollution in all the link road of town and its adjoining areas including rural areas also.
The UPPL party leaders, activists and members representing different block and primary committees across the region also joined hands in the world environment day celebration.
The UPPL extended its happy greetings to all citizens on the day and appealed to plant more saplings for a green environment.
Our Demow correspondent adds: Along with the rest of the state, Demow and its surrounding areas also observed World Environment Day on Monday. Demow Model Hospital, situated in Demow Raichai Konwar Dehingia observed the day by planting saplings in the hospital premises. The schools in Demow also observed the day. In order to spread awareness among the public, a street drama titled – ‘Plastic Eru, Prithivi Gorhu’ was staged in Demow of Sivasagar district on Monday afternoon.
Our Jorhat correspondent adds: The ICFRE-Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI), Jorhat along with Golaghat Forest Division celebrated World Environments Day 2023 at Numaligarh Higher Secondary School, Numaligarh, Golaghat (Assam) in collaboration with Golaghat Forest Division.
An RFRI official informed that around 1200 students from various schools of the locality apart from the host school participated in the celebrations.
The official said that different events such as drawing and quiz competitions were organised among the students.
A plantation programme at the school premises was initiated by the principal of the school, Mohen Saikia planted saplings of various species including fruits and ornamental trees which were supplied by Golaghat Forest Division, the RFRI official further said. .
A popular talk on the significance of the day was delivered by Rajib Kumar Kalita, scientist, RFRI, Jorhat.
The official said that quiz competitions were held separately for junior as well as for the senior groups of students. It was conducted by Sanjib Sarma, assistant head master and Rajib Kumar Das, science teacher, of the host school.
An exhibition was also installed on the occasion to create awareness among the students about the various non-timber forest products, particularly bamboo.
An open session held on the occasion was attended by Dr RK Borah, director, RFRI, Jorhat; RK Kalita, scientist and head, Extension division, RFRI, Jorhat; SK Thakuria, DFO, Golaghat, and Mohen Saikia, principal of the host school. Dr Borah spoke on the occasion and explained the significance of celebrations of this important day.
Thakuria also spoke on the occasion and thanked Numaligarh HS School for hosting the celebrations. He appealed to the students to take proper care of the saplings planted on the occasion at the school’s premises.
Certificates as prizes were distributed to the winners of various competitions held on the occasion.
