Mokokchung, June 22 (MTNews): Grassroots level leaders from at least 6 villages surrounding Tuli and Milak Industrial Zone as well as All Ward Union Tuli attended an awareness program held at Tuli Range Office on Wednesday. It was attended by Village Council Chairmen, Secretaries and Village council members of Wameken, Merangkong, Kangtsung, Luyong, Chubarongpang, Aopenzu and All Ward Union Tuli.
The program was jointly organized by the Mill Owners of Milak Industrial Zone and Forest Department. As per an update from the Forest Department, a total of 10,000 tree saplings of fast growing and mixed species of Melia, Bogipoma, Titachapa and Khokon were given to the tree farmers. A Green Belt Committee was also formed in the division to safeguard the forest and sustain livelihood.
Keynote address was given by Ailong Phom, Range Officer, Tuli. He expressed that Tuli area is one of the most potential areas in the state, blessed with many natural resources coupled with geographical convenience and easy accessibility. He emphatically noted that every good blessing comes with huge responsibility, therefore, using natural resources and its conservation should go hand in hand.
Raju Lahoti, the president of the Green Belt Committee in his speech mentioned that the Mill Owners Association has full confidence with the forest department programmes and initiatives and assured full support in all efforts towards conservation and enhancement of livelihood.
The Divisional Forest Officer, Dr. Sentitula IFS., Divisional Forest Officer, stated that it is the responsibility of all the stakeholders to plant more trees to restore and replenish and at the same time to sustain livelihood.
She stated that the Green Belt Committee was formed under the division in collaboration with the Mill owners of the Industrial Zones under the district and that this committee has been constantly working towards restoring and conservation of forest and enhancement of livelihood of the people in the area through various activities.
The Committee has been assisting the tree farmers in plantation works and the activity of the committee for this year is to award ‘best farmer’ based on the overall performance rate of the plantation.