Dear
Brothers and Sisters,
We
have travelled long, sweat blood in the training and faced many obstacles in
our journey. We have seen many self oriented people breaching rules and
regulations. We are liked less by people including farmers, contractors and officials.
But as a green warrior we have maintained our self esteem with much dedication
and patriotism. Just like our dress code is outshining other military dresses,
our department’s goals are getting fulfilled under the direction of good
leaders. For long foresters have been neglected and helped less by the society.
Moreover, in many places we see and hear many social feedbacks, comments,
mistreats and unethical reactions by the society. Yet, we remained centered in
achieving our vision and mandates.
Friends,
we are the only guardians who hold valued pride in the country. We are the
guardian of country’s most important asset the “Forest”. We are doctors to
injured wildlife. In times of forest road construction we are engineers. In
court we are lawyers defending our rules, regulations and act. Sometimes we are
teachers teaching society right and wrong. We make advocacies as media, we are
army in patrolling. We are the so called “Jack of All”. The “Jack” who provide
clean water to drink, fresh air to breath and aesthetic beauty to witness.
Today
from the core of my heart, I salute all rangers/foresters who have serve
tirelessly in guarding natural resources. I pay my respect to all those who
have lost their lives in duty and to those who are serving today, I join in
celebrating and wish “Happy World Rangers Day”. Today marked an unprecedented
occasion in our life as for the first time the green warriors are given a day
to hold pride with their career. The most empowering and encouraging move which
must be remembered all the time.
Needless
to say, in the last six month I have experienced and faced many challenges
crossing mountains and peaks, tired, hungry and dehydrated to get the
enumeration of forest and wildlife. As a southern paramilitary, life is challenging
as the patrolling has to be always with weapons in borders. Road and light
connectivity is another obstacle which shakes the peace of southern forester
especially at Nichula. Lights get cut off by weeks and road get blocked and
eroded due to flash floods. The only means and vehicle “foot” remains active
all day and its fuel consumption is only known by people who walk from that
road.
Heartfelt
to say, I don’t just celebrate this day verbally wishing all rangers “A Happy
Rangers Day” rather, I have few messages to be told to all people from
different walks of life. With exploitation of human population the pressure on
environment has increased, many developmental projects are increasing and at
the same time we are benefitted from such projects. However, every year we see
rise in forest fires and waste issues due to negligence. A farmer must play his
role with control burning of agricultural debris and should monitor his
activities properly. To clean his surrounding and land to keep away from waste
is his fundamental duty. You can’t just keep watching foresters picking wastes
every 9th of month.
Students
are the most energetic and alive youngsters who have strong energy to move
every obstacles. It’s the duty of students to carry initiatives related to environment.
I was a student like you; I remember my commitment put in combating waste
issues. I was a “Trash or Waste Management club” captain in college days. We as
a team could convert waste in to money which is enough to generate club seed
money. Today when I reflect upon my work I feel I have served my purpose and
fulfill my duty as a student. Friends, we have that social stigma where one
should be rewarded of any work we do. If you expect in return of any work you
do, you are not doing anything for the society other than your personal
benefit. You have that energy to change community and it is your responsibility
as educated personal to teach your parents of waste management and
environmental issues. If you do you are so called “Gentle Students”.
I
respect teachers for their commitment put in changing the life of student. For
morning eight to four, you all rendered the service tirelessly. As a life
changer how beautiful it would be if all school in the country has a club
called “Waste Management Club”. A club which not only help in keeping school
clean but also help community in understanding the disadvantages of waste. For
an example; we could see the condition of public toilet before and after
formation of Bhutan Toilet Organization. Likewise, I feel your institute can
bring good changes in combating waste issues.
Businessman
including shopkeepers and private institutes, it is your responsibility to keep
you environment clean. How beautiful it would be if shop keeper could tell a
kid not to litter the plastic after he/she has eaten the stuff bought from the
shop. It is not that we can’t do rather we are too much in personal benefit forgetting
the services rendered by the society. So, let us combat such issues together
and contribute to this country. A country which must remain green for all times
to come.