HT Bureau
GUWAHATI/DIPHU, June 5: Raj Bhavan Assam joined the global observance of World Environment Day 2025 with a meaningful celebration that called for stronger individual and collective actions towards environmental protection and sustainability.
According to an official statement the event was held at the Raj Bhavan premises in Guwahati and included a symbolic yet impactful initiative to promote ecological awareness among its staff.
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As part of the programme, Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor, S S Meenakshi Sundaram, presented saplings to officers and staff, reinforcing the commitment to nurture the planet and uphold its biodiversity.
The act symbolised a pledge to restore and protect the environment, reflecting the day’s broader theme of ecological stewardship.
In his address, Sundaram underscored the urgency of environmental conservation, reminding the gathering of their shared responsibility.
“Our Earth is not just a home for us, but a legacy we leave behind. It is our duty to protect and restore it for future generations,” he said.
Aligning with this year’s World Environment Day theme, Beat Plastic Pollution, Sundaram urged everyone to take tangible steps to reduce plastic usage and transition to environmentally sustainable practices.
He stressed that the fight against plastic pollution cannot be limited to governmental action alone but requires sincere commitment at the individual and community levels.
The event served as a reminder of the urgent need to shift towards greener choices, and concluded with a call to uphold eco-friendly habits as part of everyday life.
In another event at Rang Bhawan, Maligaon, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) marked World Environment Day 2025 with a day-long celebration, under the global theme “Beat Plastic Pollution.”
According to an official statement, the event featured the signing of a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NFR and Cotton University, aimed at advancing collaborative research in environmental conservation.
The celebration began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava and Shalini Shrivastava, President of the Northeast Frontier Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation (NFRWWO).
Senior officials of NFR Headquarters were present at the event, while Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) and divisional officers joined virtually from various locations, helping spread the message of sustainability across the entire NFR network.
As part of the MoU, signed by M Kalimuthu, Chief Mechanical Engineer (Environment & Health Management), and Dr Arindam Garg, Registrar of Cotton University, both institutions pledged to work together in areas such as climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, wildlife conservation, and AI-driven sustainable transport solutions.
The partnership is expected to strengthen environmental research and innovation through academic-railway collaboration.
The programme also featured a guest lecture by Ajay Singh, retired Chief Mechanical Engineer of South Western Railway, who spoke on eliminating plastic packaging in station cafeterias.
A thought-provoking drama titled “Beat Plastic Pollution,” performed by NFR Scouts and Guides, illustrated the environmental damage caused by plastic waste and promoted the principles of “reduce, reuse, recycle.”
In his concluding remarks, General Manager Shrivastava reiterated NFR’s commitment to sustainability and announced a series of new green initiatives, including the installation of plastic collection bins at 50 major stations and the introduction of reusable teacups in railway waiting areas.
A short film screened during the event showcased NFR’s efforts to phase out single-use plastic water bottles, install refillable water stations, and adopt biodegradable alternatives in its catering services.
An environmental booklet detailing the railway’s ongoing plastic-reduction measures, recycling collaborations, and success stories was also released.
The multi-pronged programme, combining institutional partnerships, public engagement, and actionable policy changes, underlines NFR’s resolve to foster a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.
Meanwhile in Diphu, the District Administration of Karbi Anglong, in collaboration with the Forest Department and Lumbajong Block Development Office, marked World Environment Day with a vibrant community event at the open stage near the weekly market in Mohan Dijuwa, located about 20 kilometres from Diphu.
The programme, held on Thursday morning, was part of a district-wide effort aligned with this year’s global theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution.”
The event began at 8:00 AM with the ceremonial planting of saplings along the roadside, symbolizing a collective pledge for a greener and cleaner environment.
The occasion saw enthusiastic participation from students, local social organisations, and residents of the area.
Member of Parliament Amarsing Tisso, Deputy Commissioner Nirola Phangchopi (ACS), and Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Tillotoma Hasnu graced the event.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner expressed gratitude for the community’s active involvement, especially the youth, and stressed the growing importance of public participation in environmental protection.
In a show of district-wide solidarity, similar events were also conducted by the Howraghat Development Block and the Bokajan Sub-Division at their respective office premises.
These initiatives were supported by the Forest and Environment Department and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), ensuring constituency-wise engagement across the district.
According to an official statement, the coordinated observance aimed to underscore that World Environment Day is more than a symbolic occasion—it is a call to action. With plastic pollution posing serious threats to ecosystems and public health, this year’s theme urged both individuals and institutions to adopt sustainable alternatives and reduce reliance on plastic.
The campaign’s alignment with India’s traditional ethos of living in harmony with nature was evident in the broad-based participation and commitment to long-term ecological responsibility.
Our Sivasagar correspondent adds: World Environment Day was observed with enthusiasm and community participation in Sivasagar and Moran on Thursday, as various institutions and organisations undertook plantation drives and awareness campaigns aimed at promoting environmental responsibility.
In Sivasagar, the Senior Citizens’ Association marked the occasion in collaboration with students of Sibsagar University by distributing saplings and environmental awareness pamphlets to households in Ward No. 10 of the town.
Participants gathered at the Senior Citizens Bhawan in the morning, where the initiative was formally launched.
Former Principal of Sivasagar Commerce College, Prof Kartick Dutta, led the programme, while students were guided by Yogesh Chandra Rajkhowa, Guna Gogoi, Keshav Barua, Dilip Saikia, Umesh Chankakati, and Biman Sensuwa.
In another segment of the day’s observance, a plantation drive was led by Moni Pathak, president of Drishyapat, Sivasagar, along with Dr Prakash Kotoky, former Principal of Sibsagar College, from the premises of Amolapatty Hindu Dharma Namghar.
Meanwhile, Moran Mahila Mahavidyalaya undertook an extensive plantation drive at its Moran Moutgaon campus.
The initiative, carried out in association with the Red Cross Society of Charaideo district, the college’s NSS unit, and the CISF unit of Oil India Limited (OIL) Moran, involved the planting of thousands of saplings.
The event was attended by Principal Dr Tarun Gogoi, Governing Body President Dr Rajen Borthakur, senior citizen Hem Borah, journalist Jadunath Puri, AASAA General Secretary Deben Urang, Teachers’ Unit leaders Basanta Phukon and Jyotsna Buragohain, NSS Coordinator Debajani Tamuly, and a large number of teachers, staff, and students.
The CISF team was led by Senior Commandant L.K. Haque and Inspector S.K. Shukla of the OIL Duliajan unit.
Our Biswanath correspondent adds: The Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre (VCBC) organized a series of awareness programmes across Biswanath district to mark World Environment Day, with a special focus on vulture conservation and environmental education among school students.
A team comprising renowned biologist Ghanashyam Gogoi, biologist Gitartha Boruah, field assistant Amar Jyoti Das, and staff from the Biswanath Wildlife Division, including Marchal Bourah and Raju Ali, conducted sessions in four schools—Chibilal Smriti High School, Gosai Chapori M E School, Dakhin Nagsankar High School, and Bhaskarjyoti Adarsha Vidyapeeth.
As part of the programme, Ghanashyam Gogoi delivered a PowerPoint presentation outlining the ecological importance of vultures, their rapid population decline in India, and their cultural significance.
He highlighted the crucial role vultures play in maintaining a clean ecosystem by disposing of animal carcasses, thereby helping prevent the spread of diseases.
Gogoi pointed out that India’s vulture population has plummeted from around 40 million in the 1990s to less than 100,000 today, attributing the decline to the use of veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like diclofenac, nimesulide, and aceclofenac, which are toxic to vultures.
He advocated for the use of meloxicam, a safer alternative for livestock treatment.
An interactive question-and-answer session followed, engaging students on the importance of conservation.
Gogoi also announced that a vulture release aviary is currently under construction at Tewaripal, near the sixth addition of Kaziranga National Park.
If weather conditions permit, the first release of vultures from this facility is expected by the end of the year.
In addition to the awareness sessions, Bhaskarjyoti Adarsha Vidyapeeth organized a painting and essay writing competition for students from Class 1 to 10 as part of the World Environment Day celebrations.
These activities aimed to foster environmental consciousness and inspire the younger generation to participate actively in wildlife conservation efforts.
Our Dhubri correspondent adds: The Dhubri Municipal Board marked World Environment Day with a Plog Run and Clean-Up Drive aimed at promoting environmental consciousness and urban sanitation.
The event also witnessed the formal induction of 17 newly appointed “Paura Sakhis” (city friends), a dedicated force to support cleanliness initiatives across the town.
The day’s activities were ceremoniously flagged off by Namrata Pradip Sharma, Executive Officer of Dhubri Municipal Board, and Umesh Roy, Conservancy In-charge and Ward Commissioner of Ward No. 1.
Municipal officials, sanitation workers, and other stakeholders joined the event to express solidarity with the cause of a cleaner and greener Dhubri.
A key component of the initiative was the official deployment of the 17 Paura Sakhis, recruited by the Feed Back Foundation Charitable Trust—a private agency appointed by the State Mission Director of the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban.
They have been engaged on a one-year tenure to support the town’s waste management operations. Their primary role involves accompanying garbage collection vehicles in every ward to conduct door-to-door awareness campaigns on waste segregation and responsible disposal.
The programme emphasizes direct engagement with residents to instill a sense of civic responsibility and build community participation in waste management practices.
The integration of the Paura Sakhis with daily sanitation efforts is expected to strengthen grassroots awareness and build momentum for long-term environmental sustainability.
The initiative reflects a collaborative effort between the Dhubri Municipal Board, Swachh Bharat Mission Urban, and the Feed Back Foundation Charitable Trust to enhance urban sanitation and foster eco-conscious habits among the citizens of Dhubri.
Our Nagaon correspondent adds: The Nagaon district administration, in association with the Kaliabor sub-division and the Nagaon Forest Department, observed World Environment Day on Thursday with a tree plantation drive at Kamakhya village, aimed at promoting environmental conservation and mitigating human-wildlife conflict in the region.
District Commissioner Narendra Kumar Shah, who led the drive, highlighted the urgent need to restore ecological balance and reduce increasing instances of human-wildlife conflict.
He said the initiative was part of the district administration’s broader strategy to provide alternative habitats for wildlife through afforestation and community-based conservation efforts.
The event saw participation from key officials, including Divisional Forest Officer Subhash Kadam, Superintendent of Police Swapnanil Deka, and Sub-Divisional Officer of Kaliabor.
Local residents, social workers, and volunteers also actively took part in the plantation effort, reflecting growing public awareness and engagement with environmental issues.
In parallel with the plantation drive, the Nagaon Cultural Affairs Department and the Environment and Forest Department launched an awareness campaign through street plays performed in various parts of the district.
The plays were staged in locations such as Samaguri, Rupahihat, Dhing, Batadroba, Raha, and Barhampur.
Performed by local theatre groups, the street plays focused on the importance of protecting natural resources and adopting environmentally responsible behaviour.
According to an official statement, the performances were well-received by the public and played a vital role in spreading awareness about the theme of World Environment Day 2025, which focuses on environmental restoration and sustainability.
The coordinated efforts reflect the administration’s multi-pronged approach to fostering a culture of conservation across the district.
