In a vibrant celebration of girl child empowerment and environmental sustainability, the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW) – Mission Shakti, and the District Administration Mokokchung, in collaboration with Forerunners Mokokchung (organizers of Miss Mokokchung 2025), organized a plantation drive under the theme “Let’s Leaf a Legacy: A Plantation Drive for a Greener Tomorrow.” The event was held at Shisalen Riju as part of the ongoing Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign.
The plantation drive aimed to foster a greener and healthier environment while also honouring the value of every girl child. A key feature of the initiative was that each tree planted was dedicated in the name of a girl child, symbolizing growth, hope, and the vital role of girls in shaping the future of society. Name tags were placed beside each sapling to personalize this meaningful gesture.
The event opened with a welcome address by Moamenla Longkumer, District Mission Coordinator (DHEW), who emphasized the importance of combining women empowerment with sustainable environmental action. Theme speaker Ajay Moktan (IAS), Assistant Commissioner, delivered an insightful message on leaving behind a legacy—not just through planting trees, but by nurturing the potential of every girl child. He remarked on “two gifts: Trees and Daughters which quietly give us life, both nurture without asking. And sadly, both have faced neglect & taken for granted.” He added that the event affirmed a shared commitment “to protect our daughter and our planet.”
Chairperson Kato T Aomi, EAC (P) Mokokchung, underlined that the drive was more than symbolic—it was a meaningful step in recognizing the contributions of girls and women. Sangtsui, EAC (P), encouraged ownership of each sapling and called on participants to be stewards of environmental sustainability and women’s empowerment.
Representatives from Forerunners Mokokchung inspired the younger generation to carry forward the legacy of nurturing both nature and gender equality. The event concluded with a collective pledge to care for the saplings and build a future where every girl child is valued alongside the environment she inhabits.