Minister calls for planting tree on birthday
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 06 2024:
Making a clarion call to contribute in fighting climate crisis and help in improving the environment, forest and climate change minister Th Biswajit has encouraged people of the state to plant at least one tree sapling every year on their birthdays.
He was attending the 75th state level Van Mahotsav 2024 jointly organised by the forest department, in collaboration with the Divisional Forest Office, Central Forest Division, local schools, and civil society organisations held at Lamdeng Makha Leikai in Imphal West district on Saturday.
Speaking as chief guest of the event held under the theme 'Ek Ped - Maa Ke Naam', Biswajit maintained that contributing to the efforts of environment conservation is a fundamental duty for every individual.
Recalling the history of Van Mahotsav observed every year in the first week of July, he stressed the need for creating awareness on significance of the event among the students, who are the future pillars of the society.
He highlighted the significance of this year's theme as it also reflects a bond of maternal love and urged the public to plant at least one tree this year in the name of their mothers and upload the photo on www.merilife.nic.in.
He also urged organisations to arrange tree plantation programmes and share the photos on the portal.
The minister also took note of decreasing forest cover in the state which in turn has affected the climate condition drastically over the years.
He highlighted the impacts of environmental degradation and climate change, as well as the importance of trees in keeping the air clean.
The Central government is setting a goal of planting 140 crore tree saplings this year and the state government is also setting a target of 46 to 48 lakh tree saplings by the end of September.
People often celebrate their birthdays by cutting cake but promoting a trend of planting at least one tree sapling every year on birthday could help a lot in conserving environment, he observed.
Lamsang MLA S Rajen, who also attended the event, emphasised on the relation between environment and living beings, and said that protecting the environment is beneficial to human lives while on the other hand, damaging environment leads to calamities.
The state is experiencing extreme weather events and calamities due to large scale deforestation and illegal poppy cultivation as they affect the ecological balance, he said, while calling for conserving the environment.
Special secretary MH Khan, principal chief conservator of forests & head of forest force SS Chhabra and DFO Central Division Ganesh N were also present at the event.
The function was also attended by senior forest officials, DC & SP Imphal West, DIG CRPF, HIT director, jawans of CRP'F, CSO leaders, area councillor and local residents of Lamdeng Makha Leikai and neighbouring villages.
A notable feature of the celebration was a mass tree plantation drive, themed "Ek Ped - Maa ke naam" (One plant in the name of mother), where over 2000 saplings were planted by the participants, symbolising their dedication to a greener future.
The event also witnessed school students taking pledge for LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
Further, an awareness campaign called "Know your Tree" was launched by the forest department, providing information on important trees growing in the Imphal City with creative signages.
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