Army wants state to give award for plantation

KOLKATA: The state education department or secondary board should award a trophy to the school, the students of which plant the largest number of trees in a year, believes Lt Gen Raman Dhawan, general officer commanding, Bengal Area. The GOC was at the Kolkata Maidan on Thursday to participate in a tree-plantation drive by schoolchildren. The children were enthusiastic and planted saplings in spite of the driving rain.
The Siddha Group has taken up plantation as its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and was the primary organizers of the drive along with the Army, Centre for Contemporary Communication and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. During the day, nearly 500 saplings were planted on the Maidan by students of more than 20 schools in Kolkata. A remaining 1,600 saplings will be planted over the week.
"The Kolkata Maidan is a wonderful place where people can come and enjoy walks, picnics and play sports. People should take care of the Maidan. There are certain issues like pollution that we are dealing with the help of our partners. We have also taken up the matter of encroachment with the state. It is great to see so many schoolchildren participate in the plantation drive. However, they should return from time to time and see the progress that the saplings have made and ensure that they are not harmed," Lt Gen Dhawan said.
"The children should also plant saplings wherever they find space. It may be near their homes and schools. I also feel that the education department or secondary board should announce a trophy for the school that plants the largest number of saplings. More agencies need to come up and assist in maintaining the Maidan, the lungs of the city. The Army is committed to maintain any green cover within its jurisdiction," the GOC said before planting a sapling and taking a tour of the area.
He also commended efforts by The Times of India to plant trees in the Maidan. "I have visited the places where TOI has undertaken plantation. It's a very good effort," he said.
"Research has shown that carefully planted trees can lower summer time temperatures in cities. This reduces power bills and global warming. With this thought in mind, we have taken an initiative to promote awareness about tree plantation and a green environment," said Sanjay Jain, MD, Siddha Group.