Rotary Club of Orchid City Shillong organized a mega plantation drive under Project Hariyali-Trees
for Future, sponsored by Mahindra Finance at Nonhkhlaw Village, East West Khasi Hills District,
Meghalaya which started on 29th July 2022. Under the initiative, more than 300 fruit tree saplings
(peach, plum, etc) were planted at Nongkhlaw Village on community lands identified by the Dorbar,
the plantation drive concluded today.
Shri A. Nongbri, MCS, Addl. Deputy Commissioner, EWKH District, joined the green movement as
the chief guest and Prof. (Dr.) Dibyendu Paul, Department of Environmental Studies, NEHU,
Shillong as the guest-of-honor. Mr. Klement, Headman, Nongkhlaw Dorbar Shnong along with the
members of the community, members of the Rotary Club of Orchid City Shillong, led by Vice￾President, Rtn Vivek Kumar, participated in the green movement aimed to save the environment and
increase the green scene.
Rtn Vivek Kumar, Chair-Project Hariyali said that protecting environment is our collective
responsibility and tree-sapling plantation is one of the ways of achieving it. Speaking about the
importance of trees, he said that trees not only are the lungs of the planet, but also a life supporting
various life-forms on and around it. He asked each member of the community to plant a tree sapling
during the drive, tagging the tree with their name, pledge to take care of it as it grows. He also
informed everyone that Project Hariyali, was launched this year on 28th July 2022 at Khliehtyrshi
Village, Jaintia Hills in collaboration with Rotary Club of Jowai and Khliehtryshi Dorbar Shnong. He
further informed that under this project, plantation drive will be carried-out in different parts of state
in the coming days. He said under this project, more focus is on the caring of planted young tree
engaging active participation from the members of the community as the young tree grows into an
adult tree. The fruits from the trees would generate economy for the community.
Chief Guest Shri A Nongbri, MCS, thanked Rotary Club of Orchid City Shillong and Mahindra
Finance for this wonderful initiative to support environment. He said that Project Hariyali is very
meaningful initiative as it will not only improve environment, but also will generate income for
people in the coming days. He said that he will make sure through the Dorbar that the planted saplings
receive needed care as it grows. He also said that as the Project Chair Rtn Vivek suggested, we will
tag the tree with our names, adopting the saplings we plant and will pledge to take care of it as it
grows.
Guest-of-honor Prof. Dibyendu Paul spoke on the benefits of tree plantation to environment and living
beings including us. He said that tree and green cover play a very important role in regulating the
local climate, supporting various forms of life by providing food and shelter and providing necessary
materials for our growth and development. He applauded the continued efforts by Rotary Club of
Orchid City Shillong for supporting environment. He asked everyone to take care of the planted tree
saplings as it grows.
Shri Klement, Headman of Nongkhlaw Dorbar, thanked the club for choosing the village as one of the
plantation sites. He said that he along with the community members will ensure proper care to the
planted young trees as it grows.