Ri-Bhoi, June 5: Marking World Environment Day 2026, the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) and the Forests & Environment Department, Government of Meghalaya, organised a plantation drive and an awareness programme on environmental sustainability at the USTM campus on Friday.

A significant highlight of the day was the plantation drive conducted under the nationwide "Ek Ped
Maa Ke Naam (EPMKN)" campaign. Demonstrating its confidence in USTM's green initiatives and
environmental commitment, the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board voluntarily selected the
USTM campus as one of its key venues for the plantation programme. Senior officials of MSPCB,
faculty members, students, and staff participated in the drive, planting saplings across the campus to
promote ecological conservation and environmental responsibility.
The observance continued with a special lecture session, bringing together environmental experts. The
session was graced by Prof. G. D. Sharma, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, USTM, along with senior
officials of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), including Dr G. H.
Chyrmang, Member Secretary, MSPCB, and other resource persons from the Board.
Delivering the keynote address at the seminar, Dr G. H. Chyrmang, Member Secretary, MSPCB,
highlighted the importance of collective action in tackling environmental degradation and stressed the
need for stronger public participation in conservation efforts.
Experts from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board delivered a series of technical sessions on
critical environmental issues. Shri S. Swer, Chief Scientist, MSPCB, presented the current air
quality scenario in Meghalaya, with a particular focus on Byrnihat, and discussed the implementation
of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Shri S. Syiem, Senior Environmental Engineer,
MSPCB, elaborated on industrial emissions, environmental compliance requirements, and the
provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. Shri J. Lammurong and Shri Y. F. Laloo,
Environmental Engineers, MSPCB, jointly conducted a session on biomedical waste management.
The programme also featured an insightful lecture on "Rethinking Development in the Era of
Climate Change" by Mr Rituraj Phukan, Founder of the Indigenous Peoples' Climate Justice
Forum, who called for development models that are environmentally sustainable and socially
inclusive.
Speaking on the occasion, USTM authorities expressed gratitude to the Meghalaya State Pollution
Control Board for choosing the university as a partner institution for the World Environment Day
observance.