As a precursor for holding India’s first Cherry Blossom Festival in the State, the Avenue Cherry Tree Plantation was launched by the Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma in the presence of Minister for Forest & Environment Prestone Tynsong at Ward’s Lake, here today morning.
The plantation was organized by the Department of Forest & Environment in collaboration with Institute of Bio-resources & Sustainable Development (IBSD), Government of India and Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) to have an avenue plantation of cherry plants and give Shillong a unique and distinct look.
The plantation of cherry trees was carried out by the dignitaries, officials of the department and others in the Ward’s Lake premises, in front of State Convention Centre and other sites in the city some of which were identified by the Chief Minister himself.
Launching the plantation in a brief but impressive function, the Chief Minister said, “as we move ahead with the concept of Green Meghalaya, we should do it in a more scientific way so that it is in sync with our objective of Destination Meghalaya” and expressed his happiness to have the “convergence of thoughts and minds” in this initiative. Stating that Shillong has the fame of being one of the most beautiful hill stations in the country, he said that we need to ensure that it keeps up its name and fame futuristically and based on this, the government has come up with the concept of making Meghalaya a destination.
“When we build or plan our roads, our localities, our habitations, the aesthetic part is very important” he said. When we talk of making Meghalaya as the most liveable State there are many things that need to be done and this is just one part of it, he added.
Forest & Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong, who spoke briefly on the occasion, expressed his hope that with this designed avenue plantation of cherry trees there will be increased visitors and tourists coming to the State.
Earlier, the Director of IBSD, Manipur, Prof. D. Sahoo, in his introductory address, said that this idea was born after he saw wild cherry trees being grown in a haphazard manner in Shillong. The state has a lot of potential in terms of eco-tourism and employment generation and we can utilize this unique bio-resource with a proper design so that “after Japan when people talk of cherry blossoms they will talk about India, they will talk about Shillong”, he said.