Shillong June 5: Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma came on foot from his house at 4th Miles Upper Shillong to office in the main secretariat as part of the celebration of World Environment Day, and participated in the function at U Soso Tham auditorium under the theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ as well as launching of the ‘One Citizen One Tree’ campaign.

Speaking at the function, the Chief Minister emphasised the need to take a proactive role towards preserving and protecting the environment.

“I would like to ask each and every citizen of our state to start contributing at an individual level. If you start something and set an example others will follow”, he added.

Referring to the concept of Reducing, Reusing and Recycling, the chief minister urged everyone the need to use resources judiciously in order to lessen the impact on the environment.

In order to send a message on the need to reduce consumption, the Chief Minister earlier in the day walked from his residence to the venue.

“Although it was far it was a beautiful walk”, the Chief Minister said.

During his walk, the chief minister interacted with school students who were selected from different schools from different parts of the state.

The ‘One Citizen One Tree’ campaign was also launched at the function whereby each citizen is urged to adopt one tree and also nurture and care for it.

“If you adopt a tree you are taking care of the quota of oxygen that is being provided to you. It is a very simple concept but I think it will go a long way in creating a sense of ownership and drive the point of caring for the environment forward in a very positive manner”, The Chief Minister added.

The Chief Minister also told the gathering that the Office of the Chief Minister has been made a plastic free zone and the same will be expanded to include the entire secretariat in the future.

The Chief Minister also said that the Meghalaya Renewable Energy department has been intimated to install solar panels to cater to the green energy needs of the Chief Minister’s Office which will be subsequently scaled to include other offices in the future.

The first batch of the stationery manufactured from recycled paper was also unveiled at the function.

Prizes were also distributed to winners of various video making competitions and Eco-clubs of different schools, by the Chief Minister.

The function was organised by MBDA and the Forest and Environment Department.