1.84 crore saplings planted in past 5 years ** Mission Clean Shillong 2027 campaign unveiled
Shillong, June 5: Chief minister Conrad K Sangma has given gave a clarion call to the citizens of Meghalaya to ask themselves “what am I going to do” to protect the environment and consider it as a personal responsibility even as he lamented environmental degradation in certain parts of the state.
Participating in the World Environment Day celebrations on Thursday at Ummir, New Shillong, he listed a number of government initiatives, including the innovative led GREEN Meghalaya+ that offers financial incentive to local communities for environment protection.
He took part in avenue plantation of ornamental trees at Ummir playground and planted a sapling at Umniuh junction there.
Addressing the programme, the chief minister made a passionate call for public participation and personal accountability in environmental conservation.
Expressing concern over environmental degradation, he presented a compelling imagery from West Khasi Hills and Mairang, calling for personal responsibility and collective action in safeguarding the environment.
To make his point, he mentioned two videos that he took on his mobile phone from helicopter and urged every Meghalayan to ask themselves not “what can I do”, but “what am I going to do today to protect my environment?”
“Every small action matters—whether it’s switching off unnecessary lights, saving water, or carrying your own waste until proper disposal. These habits must become a part of our daily lives, not just today,” he asserted.
“What am I going to do?” he asked the crowd, emphasising that change begins with individual responsibility, not mere policy announcements.
“Today is World Environment Day, but the commitment we show today must become a habit we live by every single day.”
Highlighting the state’s ongoing efforts to combat climate change and reverse environmental degradation, he mentioned that over 1.84 crore saplings were planted in the past five years and the target for next phase is additional 42,000 hectares of afforestation.
He lauded the community-led GREEN Meghalaya+ initiative — India’s largest Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programme — which has already preserved more than 52,000 hectares of forest through grassroots engagement and financial incentives to local communities.
This, he said, aligns with Meghalaya’s traditional sacred grove philosophy, combining cultural legacy with modern conservation.
“Through PES, we have protected forests not with force, but with partnership. This is sacred work. This is our duty to the generations ahead,” the Chief Minister affirmed.
In a parallel drive toward urban transformation, the chief minister formally unveiled Mission Clean Shillong 2027, a city-wide campaign aligned with the National Games 2027, aimed at making Shillong one of India’s cleanest cities.
He emphasized that the mission’s success hinges on widespread citizen involvement — from students and youth leaders to local institutions and traditional heads.
He appealed to everyone to emulate practices from countries like Japan, where citizens carry their own waste until proper disposal, saying, “If every Meghalayan decides not to throw garbage on the road, the need for government action will drastically reduce.”
He reiterated that the “cleanest river” and the “cleanest village” accolades should now be matched with the “cleanest city”—a vision driven by participatory action, not top-down orders.
He reminded all present of small actions that are repeated daily would create the large change and concluded his speech with a powerful message saying, “Small actions, when taken collectively and consistently, can change the course of our future. Let us not make today the only day we care about the environment — let us make it a daily habit.”
The day also witnessed the release of key policy documents – Mission Clean Shillong 2027 and Building a Climate Resilient Green Economy.
These blueprints aim to integrate solid and liquid waste management, river rejuvenation, green mobility, and urban planning under Meghalaya Vision 2032, which aspires to rank among top 10 Indian states in Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and per capita income.
Various schools, colleges, localities, and community members were felicitated under various categories of sustainable practices, alongside GREEN Meghalaya+ and MegLIFE Awards honouring grassroots contributions to forest protection and environmental stewardship.
GREEN Meghalaya+ and MegLIFE awards were given in various categories – Forest Protection: Kur Nongsiang Clan (WK Hills), Rongma Paromgre Community Reserve (SG Hills); Best Compliance: Khlaw Adong Mawiongsung (EK Hills), Nilwa Adinggre (SG Hills); Youth Leadership: Balang Presbyterian Umsaw Nongbri, Darenggre Community Reserve; Eco-Tourism: Cham Cham village (EJ Hills), Tokkol Community Reserve (NG Hills); Wildlife Conservation: Lumshken village and Selbalgre village.
Highlights of MegLIFE awards – Afforestation Leaders: Malchapara village (SWG Hills), Tlangpui village (EJ Hills); Private Land Dedication: Piding Sangma (40.08 ha), Bhakam Hadem (60.52 ha); Best Soil & Water Conservation: Mawlali village (EK Hills).
Deputy chief minister in-charge of Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar and senior officials, including chief secretary DP Wahlang and PCCF & HoFF KS Gill were among others present on the occasion.
