The Green Campus Initiative, a pilot initiative under the Community Social Responsibility (ComSR) model, was launched at Zunheboto Government College on August 12 with a focus on environmental sustainability, community participation and conservation.
The initiative was jointly organised by Zunheboto Government College and the Zunheboto Forest Division.
Divisional Forest Officer, Zunheboto Forest Division, Obed Bohovi Swu, in his introductory remarks emphasised the importance of community participation in addressing local issues. He said government assistance alone cannot provide solutions to every challenge and stressed that communities must come together and take responsibility for helping themselves.
He said the objective should be to find solutions rather than allow issues to become bigger problems, adding that community participation and collective responsibility are essential for sustainable development.
The DFO highlighted the role of Zunheboto Government College as the only government college in the district in taking forward the initiative. He noted that the college has committed faculty who can work together to improve the campus through green initiatives. He said the programme would not only help create a greener campus but also improve the image of the institution while giving students and faculty an opportunity to embrace environmental conservation as a form of social responsibility.
Launching the initiative, Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto, Dharam Raj, IAS, described it as an innovative programme and thanked the DFO for conceptualising the initiative.
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The Deputy Commissioner said the initiative should be viewed through a holistic approach and not merely as an effort to increase forest cover. He stressed that conservation and development must go hand in hand.
Citing the Chipko Movement as an example, he said tribal communities have traditionally understood the value of forests and have been at the forefront of protecting them. He expressed happiness that people in the district remain closely connected with the preservation of forests and the environment.
Dharam Raj further stressed the need to minimise energy consumption and adopt sustainable lifestyles as part of environmental conservation. He called upon participants to come together, share knowledge and work collectively towards creating a sustainable environment.
Appealing particularly to the younger generation and Gen Z, he encouraged them to actively participate in the Green Campus Initiative and make environmental conservation a part of their daily lives.
The programme featured an invocation by Assistant Professor, Everkali W Achumi, followed by a welcome address by the Principal Dr R Bendangtemjen, Zunheboto Government College.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by, IQAC Coordinator Tiasunep Ozukum. A commemorative native tree plantation was subsequently carried out, marking a significant step towards strengthening the college’s commitment to environmental conservation and the promotion of native species
