Celebration of the World 

ENVIRONMENT DAY
5th June 2003 : The World Environment Day was observed with great fervour and enthusiasm by the Soil & Water Conservation Department. The observance of the Day was held all over the length and breadth of the State in which the villagers, the student community, Non-Government Organisations and interested individuals participated. The district offices of the Department were responsible for organizing programmes for World Environment Day in their respective areas and jurisdictions. 

The programmes evoked enthusiastic participation from all cross sections of the society and had been a great help not only in creating awareness and propagating the objectives and projects of the Department but also in enhancing the networking and cooperation aspects in as far as peoples' participation to the schemes of the Department is concerned.
The following programmes were organized by the different Divisions of the Department to commemorate the World Environment Day: -

The Shillong Soil Conservation (T) Division organized a series of tree planting programmes on the World Environment Day on 5th June 2003. 

At the programme held at Mawsmai Sohra Eco- Development Park over 500nos. of saplings were planted along the approach road to the community forest known as 'Blei-Bah'. Government officials, NGOs, village elders, women's groups, youth clubs, and school children participated in the tree plantation programme.

The Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, Shri.D.P. Wahlang, I.A.S. was the Chief Guest at the function and Shri K.C. Momin, Additional Director of Soil Conservation and Chief Executive Officer, Meghalaya Commercial Crops Development Board was the Guest of Honour. Shri.Rijied.S.Hynniewta, Sordar of Mawsmai Elaka, chaired the function preceding the plantation of trees.

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Shri D.P. Wahlang IAS Deputy Commissioner East Khasi Hills, Planting a Sapling during World Environment Day (5th June 2003) at Mawsmai Sohra Eco-Development Park

The World Environment Day Celebration was held at the Conservation Training Institute, Byrnihat on the 5th June 2003 in which Officers, staff and trainees of the Conservation Training Institute as well as students of the School of the Conservation Training Institute attended. Shri R.R.B.R. Thabah, Divisional Soil Conservation Officer and Shri G. Chakraborty, Assistant Soil Conservation Officer delivered speeches in which the importance of the environment was stressed. After the function, about 400 nos. of seedlings including medicinal plants were planted at the newly created Arboratum of the Conservation Training Institute. 

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Participants of the world Environment Day Programme at C.T.I.

The office of the Divisional Soil Conservation Officer, Nongstoin in collaboration with the Office of the Divisional Forest Officer (Social Forestry), West Khasi Hills and the Haiku Economic Resource Development Society, Nongstoin conducted a programme at Christian Secondary School, Upper New Nongstoin. On this occasion, hundreds of children took out a procession, carrying placards and shouting slogans. A debate competition was also held on this day. About 500 nos. of fruit seedlings were distributed to teachers and students attending the function. The Chief Guest at the function was Shri S. Nongsiej, Additional Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills District. 

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The Chief Guest Shri S. Nongsiej, ADC, Planting a Sapling

The Jowai Soil Conservation Division conducted a tree-planting programme at the New Campus of the Good ShepherdSecondary School, Lad Rymbai. About 350 nos. of saplings were planted and 300 nos. of horticultural species distributed to nine participating schools and members of public. About 700 students took part in the programme in which Shri S. Pale, Local MLA was the Chief Guest.

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The Chief Guest, Shri S. Pale, Minister of State, Govt. of Meghalaya while delivering his speech on the occasion

The Office of the Divisional Soil Conservation Officer, Ri-Bhoi in collaboration with the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Wild Life & Forest Protection Association (ERBWPA) organized the World Environment Day celebration at Mawlong village. Shri D.L. Warbah, Divisional 

School children participating in a tree plantation programme at Mawlong Village in Ri-Bhoi District

Soil Conservation Officer, Ri-Bhoi Division was the Chief Guest at the function which was chaired by Shri S.D. Matong, President, ERBWPA. Seedlings were distributed to the school students of Mawlong Christian Upper Primary School, the Umlakhar Proceeding Upper Primary School as well as villagers attending the function.

The Divisional Soil Conservation Office, Williamnagar organized a tree planting programme at Songsak village. 300 nos. of seedlings were planted in and around the Songsak Govt. H.E. School premises by the students and individuals. Shri R.W. Momin, Joint Director of Soil Conservation, Meghalaya, Tura presided over the function. The Chief Guest at the function was Shri H.B. Marak, i/c. Deputy Commissioner, East Garo Hills District.

10th June 2003:The Shillong S.C. Range Office organized a Tree Planting Programme at the Roman Catholic Church Compound, Nongrah. Church leaders, Shri Peter F. Lyngdoh and Shri James Malngiang along with officers and staff of Shillong Territorial Division took part in the programme.

11th June 2003 :The Tura Soil Conservation Cash Crop Division distributed Arecanut seedlings to the rural community at Ampati Central Nursery under the Border Area Development Scheme. It also organized a tree planting and awareness programme in collaboration with Tura (T) Division at Dadenggre High School to commemorate the World Environment Day. Citrus seedlings and other fruit species were distributed to the beneficiaries of different villages during the last week of June 2003

12th June 2003:Another tree planting programme was held at village Rangbihbih under the Umiew Watershed Committee in which saplings were planted at the premises of the St. Peter L.P. School. Shri A. Marbaniang, Headman of Rangbihbih, chaired the function. Shri L.M. Syiem, Syiem of Mylliem Syiemship was the Chief Guest and Shri A. Syiem, Joint Director of Soil Conservation (Hq) was the Guest of Honour. Other speakers in the programme included the President and Vice-President of the Umiew Watershed Association.

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Shri L.M.Syiem (extreme left) of Hima Mylliem & the Chief Guest on the World Environment Day held at Rangbibbih on 12-07-2003 is planting a tree, with Shri K.W. Marbaniang, D.S.C.O. & Shri H.S. Kharpran ASCO

13th June 2003: A tree-planting programme was also held at Roman Church L.P. School, Mawkhan. Amongst the people attending the programme was the Headman of Mawkhan, Shri K. Kharpuri who was also the Chairman of Umtongsyiem Watershed Committee, Shri.T.Langstieh, President Umtongsyiem Watershed Association, village elders, officials of the Soil Conservation Department and the teachers and students of the Roman Church L.P. School, Mawkhan.

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Students carrying Saplings on the day of World Environment Day at Mawkhan Pasir (IWDP)

18th June 2003 : A tree planting programmes were held at Sohrarim and Lad Mawphlang. Office staff, Self-Help Group members, Watershed volunteers, Watershed Committee members (Integrated Wasteland Development Project) participated in the programme in which 200 nos of saplings were planted at the premises of the Range Office, Lad Mawphlang, the Presbyterian Church compound and in the vicinity of the Sohrarim water conservation pond. On The 19th June 2003, another programme was held at Laitlyngkot Soil Conservation Range Office in which the field staff and office staff of the Range office were involved.

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The School children from Lad Mawphlang Village Planting Seedlings in the Compound of the Presbyterian Churh on 18/06/03