Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 5

World Environment Day holds much greater significance in today’s times when there is a pandemic around. Factors such as rise in industrial pollution, increasing number of vehicles on roads, deforestation, excessive deforestation and other factors have contributed significantly in environmental degradation, which has resulted in havoc in the life of humans and animals.

Many city residents are contributing in their capacity to keep the environment around them healthy and disease-free.

Dr Monika Singla, Associate Professor of neurology at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), says though she has been environment friendly most her life but ever since the pandemic has struck the country, she has become much more focused on growing plants inside and outside her home. “This activity creates a lot of happiness and satisfaction when there is nothing much to do in an otherwise normal routine,” says Dr Monika Singla.

Another employee of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Nisha Chandel, who works in the billing department, is an avid gardener and has grown many plants and flowers to beautify her surroundings. She said she always encouraged her friends and colleagues to find time for this environment-friendly activity.

“An interest in gardening and working with plants is a way to save the Earth and serve for the better interest of the community. Ever since the city has been under a lockdown, my friends have also started taking keen interest in improving the environment and make life better for everyone,” she said.

In the pandemic times now when there are no regular schools, parents are encouraging their children to take interest in gardening and plantation activities.

An eight-year old Devansh, student of BCM School, Shastri Nagar, has recently developed a keen interest in gardening with his mother, Deepak Sharma. Deepak says she spares equal time for teaching his son his school subjects and activities pertaining to plantation and gardening.

Same is the case with two-year-old Anaisha, who enjoys watering plants at her home. Her parents say they have encouraged the habit of watering plants at this tender age so that she develops a liking for maintaining a safe and healthy environment.