Greening Garo hills campaign aimed at halting degeneration of environment

In an effort to restore green cover in Meghalaya's Garo Hills, a slew of new development works have been initiated to halt the degeneration of the environment.

A group of NGOs and environment organisations has come together to launch a campaign titled - Greening Garo Hills, which is supported by various flagship programmes of the state government.

The organisation has taken up an initiative titled - "Greening Garo Hills" by planting along the newly constructed National Highway - 44 E, which connects Tura to state capital Shillong.

A total of 28 kilometers from Jengjal to Samanda was covered under the campaign, which was led by A'chik Tourism Society (ATS), and a host of other NGOs.

The campaign was completed in four days, which was held on Fridays and Saturdays in the last two weeks.

Last year, the campaign was held at remote Gondenggre village in West Garo Hills, which has been adopted by the NGOs to make it a green model village.

The campaign is aimed to contribute increase green cover in all the five districts of Garo Hills and to afforest the catchment areas.

"During the constructing of this new National highway, lot of trees was destroyed. To regain the trees and the catchment areas along this highway, we have taken initiatives to plant trees on the national highway.

We are trying to revive the natural beauty of Garo hills. The trees are pride of Garo hills without trees the place looks ugly it is a high time to plant trees for the future", said Pangrak Rafus Momin, President ATS.

"We want to beautify the road and give shade for the traveler so that all the people who are travelling through this road will be amaze by seeing the greenery. We are hopping to create good environment for our future generation to lived healthy way of life", said Bikramjit Sangma, a member of ATS.

Other NGOs, who partnered in the campaign included Goera Event Management Society, Dokaku Arts and Culture Association and A'chik Welfare Association.

Surrendered rebels from East and North Garo Hills including former commander - in- chief of Liberation of A'chik Elite Force (LAEF) Mathew Momin and his group also took part in the campaign, which was actively participated by villagers along the highway.

"We have come to over ground to live a new peaceful life and we have created new NGO called (AWA) A'chik Welfare Association and we would also like to contribute to the welfare of the community for future", said Mathew Momin, C-N-C, LAEF.