Trust, Ganesh mandal plant 51 large trees in Gondia

A major environment-focused event was held in Gondia city on September 15. Vrikshadhara Foundation, along with the Civil Lines-based Apna Ganesh Utsav Mandal, jointly planted 51 large trees on the premises of Maa Sharda International School, Nagradham. The aim was to maintain ecological balance and ensure clean air for the coming generation.

This year, the Apna Ganesh Utsav Mandal did not limit itself to celebrating Ganesh Utsav alone but decided to undertake some work for society, and the tree plantation programme was organised with this idea in mind. Instead of planting small saplings, trees that were 5 to 6 feet tall were planted this time, so that their chances of survival would be higher.

Those present at the event told the children that merely planting a tree and getting a photograph taken with it is not enough; what matters is that the planted tree is looked after and allowed to grow. This, they said, is today's need and true service to the nation. Given rising temperatures, declining rainfall and pollution, everyone should pledge to plant at least one tree and keep it alive, they said. The younger schoolchildren were also told how trees benefit human life, how oxygen is produced, and what role trees play in protecting the environment. Following this, all the children, teachers and guests raised their hands and took a pledge to look after every tree planted and to protect the environment. The children's enthusiasm made the atmosphere a cheerful one.

The chief guests at the event included former Zilla Parishad president Pankaj Rahangdale, Maa Sharda International School director and former Zilla Parishad member Ramesh Lilhare, Deputy Superintendent of Police Dinesh Shukla, Gondia Rural Police Inspector Vaibhav Pawar, and Panchayat Samiti member Nandini Lilhare. Also present were Apna Ganesh Utsav Mandal president Amit Awasthi, Arvind Tiwari, Vivek Rahangdale, Rakesh Lanjewar, Mohan Lilhare, Rituraj Mishra, Ashwin Thakur and Palash Lalwani, along with all the mandal's workers and members of Vrikshadhara Foundation. The school's headmaster and teachers put in considerable effort to make the programme a success. It was finally decided that the school would take responsibility for the care of these 51 planted trees, watering them regularly and looking after them.