World Environment Day observed in Hailakandi district

June 5: Along with the rest of Assam, World Environment Day was observed across Hailakandi district on Friday. Annually observed on June 5, World Environment Day stresses on the importance of everyone’s active participation in environment conservation and sustainable living. The theme of this year is ‘Celebrating Biodiversity’.

With one million species facing extinction, there has never been a more opportune time to focus on biodiversity. The ceremonial programme here kicked off in front of SS College in Hailakandi town with Deputy Commissioner, Megh Nidhi Dahal planting saplings and urging everyone to conserve biodiversity by protecting the flora and fauna. Superintendent of Police, Pabindra Kumar Nath, senior officials of the administration, BJP district office bearers and other dignitaries planted saplings on the occasion.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner, Dahal planted saplings in his office campus along with District Development Commissioner, Vikram Dev Sharma, Additional Deputy Commissioners RK Dam and EL Faihraem and other office employees. Plantation of saplings was carried out in offices of DIPRO, DTO, Lala Municipal Board, DFO, Water Resources department and other establishments across the district.

The day was observed in a befitting manner in schools where principals, teachers, parents, eco clubs and others planted saplings in the school campuses wearing masks and maintaining social distancing norms in view of COVID-19 outbreak. As part of week-long ‘Green Mission’ launched by the Education department coinciding with the World Environment Day, saplings were planted along the school boundaries for erecting green wall or fencing. School students drew paintings, wrote essays and slogans on environmental issues while remaining at homes and submitting them online.

Divisional Forest Officer, NH Mazumdar said that the plantation drive which began on Wednesday will continue for the next couple of days. The DFO disclosed that around 26,000 different fruit bearing and ornamental species were distributed to general public, educational institutions, government establishments, NGOs and police department. Besides this, more than 15,000 saplings are being planted along the roads and in barren areas with a view to extending the green cover of the district. “Distribution of saplings is being carried out from the Divisional Forest Office, Kukicherra range, Gharmura range, Lohorbond Beat Office and Panchgram range for the past two days and this will continue for the next three-four days,” added Mazumdar.