STAM kickstarts Year of Planet Earth

Aizawl, Jan 4 (UNI) With a view to spreading awareness about various environmental issues among the people, the Science Teachers Association of Mizoram (STAM) has launched an Understanding Planet Earth (UPE) programme as part of the International Year of Planet Earth.

The association launched the programme here yesterday with an eco-run in which members of church youth wings and the Young Mizo Association, comprising about 400 runners, participated.

Addressing the rally, state Environment and Forest minister R Lalthangliana expressed grave concern over the extensive deforestation in Mizoram in the process of shifting cultivation.

He stressed on the urgent need to do away with the age-old slash and burn cultivation on which about 80 per cent of the farmers still depended.

The rallyists also took an oath, administered by STAM general secretary C Lalrosanga, to give their utmost efforts for the preservation of the environment and forests.

The STAM, a member of the NCSTC-Network, will implement the UN programme in Mizoram.

UNI ZS DPM SS1017