The Entrepreneurs Associates (tEA) conducted a Press Conference on the second edition of its eRun to Reforest 2.0, popularly known as R2 Run: 2.0, at its main office in Kohima on October 10. The R2 Run is a crucial component of tEA’s Flagship program ‘Trees for Wealth (TfW),’ which was officially launched on November 22, 2019. The TFW movement aims to plant 1 billion fruit trees and 2 billion non- fruit trees (trees of economic value) by 2050. At present, tEA has planted 7.5 lakh fruit trees and 16 lakh non-fruit trees across Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh.
The press conference commenced with Neikule Doulo, Executive Director of tEA apprising the attendees on the significance of the R2 Run and how its initiation last year has had a lasting impression on all the participants. She stated “The R2 Run is an event that holds meaning for everyone concerned about the climate and environment. The event aims to create awareness about our environment through increased community participation in the form of widespread tree plantation in the state and across the NER.”
Additionally, the run will also help in the purchase of saplings for our farmers and help them in developing a sustainable livelihood. Neikule also recounted how farmers in Phek district had witnessed a 50 percent decline in the yield of potato cultivation due to erratic climatic changes.
“Through TfW, tEA is pioneering a sustainable future with the establishment of tEA farmlands, driving economic diversification and environmental conservation,” she remarked.
Tongtimenla Jamir, Research & Development Lead at tEA emphasized on the current state of the climate where she highlighted that Nagaland had lost 235 sq. km of forest cover within the timeline of 2019 to 2021. Nagaland only has 73.90 percent of forest cover, which is amongst the lowest across the North Eastern States, reminded Jamir. She concluded by highlighting the relevance of the Trees for Wealth Movement in combating the climate crisis today. The Press Conference concluded with an interactive Q&A session gearing towards the upcoming Run.
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The R2 Run 2.0 is set to take place on October 26, 2024, clocking at 6:00 AM in High School Junction. The Runners will run via the Secretariat route and the run will culminate at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, which is approximately 9 kilometres. This year’s event features 14 categories, divided into seven divisions for both male and female participants. The categories for this year, along with the cash prizes and registration fees are below.
The R2 Run 2.0 features two course formats. The first four categories will start at High School Junction and finish at IG Stadium, while the remaining three categories will take place exclusively on the IG Stadium track. An interesting feature of the second edition is the inclusion of the ‘Wheelchair Category’ to make it more inclusive. There will also be on-spot registration for the runners in the morning of 26th October, before the run. Upon completion of all categories, participants will receive participation certificates during the prize distribution ceremony which will be held at Indira Gandhi Stadium.
The Entrepreneurs Associates (tEA) is passionately working to promote entrepreneurship and develop sustainable livelihoods in Nagaland and across other North Eastern States of India. Till date, tEA has supported, trained and worked with 18,000+ First Generation Entrepreneurs, 30,000+ Farmers, 10000+ Women Street Vendors, and 1500 SHGs in Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya with plans to branch out to other neighboring states in the upcoming days. tEA hopes that by 2025, more entrepreneurs will be impacted under the program and communities will develop increased sensitivity to climate change going forward.
