The Entrepreneurs Associates (tEA) successfully hosted the third edition of Run to Reforest (R2Run), its annual climate advocacy event under the flagship program Trees for Wealth (TfW) Movement, on October 25 in Kohima.
Run to Reforest (R2Run) is an annual climate advocacy event of the Entrepreneurs Associates’ flagship program, Trees for Wealth(TfW) Movement, operating under the motto “micro by one, volume by
Mass”. Launched in November 2019, the program aims to connect sustainable livelihood solutions and entrepreneurship with climate change mitigation and environmental protection. The movement has set an ambitious vision to plant one billion fruit trees and two billion non-fruit trees by 2050.
The third edition of R2Run featured both a marathon run and, as a new addition this year, a penalty shootout competition. The run was flagged off at 6 a.m. at High School Junction, Kohima, with participants completing the route via Secretariat Road, culminating at IG Stadium. A separate category for participants below 15 years was conducted within IG Stadium premises. The previous two editions of
R2Run witnessed over 900 participants collectively.
The program was flagged off at the High School Junction by Neikule Doulo, Executive Director, tEA after a brief program chaired by Tongtimenla Jamir, with Reverend Bendangtoshi Walling, Pastor of Kohima Ao Baptist Association (KABA), delivering the invocation. Neikule Doulo, Executive Director of tEA, shared the goals and objectives of R2Run, while Chubazen Longkumer provided a comprehensive briefing on event guidelines.
The run prize distribution ceremony was held right after the commencement of the run at IG Stadium, Kohima, chaired by Chubazen Longkumer. Neikule Doulo, Executive Director of tEA, delivered the keynote address. Mrs. Neikule Doulo, Executive Director of tEA, expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of the R2RUN initiative and highlighted the Trees for Wealth (TfW) 2019 movement’s goal to plant 3 billion trees by 2050, emphasizing the urgent environmental issues around us and calling on every individual to take responsibility for transforming and nurturing our one planet.
She reported that tEA has successfully planted 30 lakh (3 million) trees to date under the TfW movement, focusing on trees of economic value that provide income to farmers, with communities in Phek district of Nagaland and Manipur having demarcated community land for TFW, and new initiative of a model farmland in Peren district. Neikule stressed that one person taking initiative can create stories of hope capable of changing the world, positioning this as a unique movement that Nagaland can offer globally, to make Nagaland the fruit hub of India and, gradually, the world.
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Acknowledging that Nagaland is losing its forest at an alarming rate and ranks among the highest states in India for forest cover loss, she urged everyone to leverage Nagaland’s tradition of community land holding to plant trees, branding all participants as “Reforesters” and calling on them to collectively transform degraded farmland into vibrant micro-orchards, ultimately transforming Nagaland, Northeast India, and the whole world.
Chukhoyi Chiero, Zonal head, tEA announced the prizes and Tekhengutele delivered the vote of thanks. Wede T Mero bagged the gold medal in the Above 15 category run and notably, this is his 3rd consecutive win in the R2 Run event.
The penalty shootout competition kicked off at 11 a.m. at IG Stadium with teams participating from across the state. The Pro D FC and Mez and Co. emerged as the winners and runners up of the penalty shootout and were awarded a cash prize of Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively at the program chaired by Chukhoyi Chiero.
The event concluded with Lhishezuu Lohe delivering the vote of thanks.
Founded in 2000 as a non-profit society, The Entrepreneurs Associates (tEA) promotes entrepreneurship and provides a continuum of services to foster a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem in Nagaland and the Northeast region. With outreach across Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and
Meghalaya, tEA maintains a special focus on promoting First Generation Entrepreneurs (FGEs) and Micro Entrepreneurs.
R2Run Winners by Category:
15 Years and Above
Male
1st Prize: Wede T Mero – ₹10,000
2nd Prize: Chuchangmeren Imchen – ₹8,000
Female
1st Price: Songmo P – ₹10,000
2nd Price: Jemie Y – ₹8,000
11-14 Years
Male
1st Price: Aqhevi Achumi – ₹3,000
2nd Price: Shingyeang Nyakho – ₹2,000
Female
1st Price: Supei – ₹3,000
2nd Price: Nyunbeinei Kent – ₹2,000
Below 10 Years
Male
1st Price: Renbemo S Jami – ₹3,000
2nd Price: Thejazo Lhoungu – ₹2,000
Female
1st Price: Hiena – ₹3,000
2nd Price: Shanchobeni – ₹2,000
Penalty Shootout winners:
1st : The Pro D FC
2nd : Mez and Co.
