Plantation drives, green competitions mark World Environment Day in state

GUMLA/RANCHI: Plantation drives and extra-curricular activities marked the World Environment Day observed on Sunday as government and non-government organisations, outfits and groups spread the message of saving the environment.
The Gumla administration began its ambitious drive of planting one lakh fruit-bearing saplings at Belgaon village.
Gumla deputy commissioner (DC) Sushant Gaurav said, "We have organised the programme to honour and preserve nature which is vital for life. The plantation programme will continue for one month. Fruit saplings have been chosen as they will not be felled like timber trees. Like Mother's Day, Father's Day and birthdays, you should also celebrate the Environment Day by planting and taking care of at least one tree."
An MGNREGA park and a poultry farm were inaugurated by the DC.
Tribal priest Mangleshwar Oraon of Belgaon village said the adivasis are known as nature lovers and have been conserving environment (jal, jungle, jameen) since ages.
"We, Adivasis, are close to nature as we believe that it is our only home. We understand the utilities of plants. We are happy that the administration is doing its bit to generate awareness about nature among the public."
In Ranchi too, several plantation drives were held. Team Green, an outfit founded in 2019, organised the drive at different places in the city to plant 844 saplings.
Since its inception, the outfit has planted over 13,000 saplings, of which 8,000 survived, the members claimed.
The Election Commission of India's (ECI) office led by chief electoral officer Ravi Kumar held plantation drive.
Ranchi University (RU) organised poster-making contest for students after they took the pledge to save the environment. The students also cleaned the botanical garden on the premises.
Shaheed Bhagat Singh Charitable Society held programmes near Pahari Mandir, where Ranchi mayor Asha Lakra was present as the chief guest. Children participated in a face-painting competition organised by the International School of Art and Design (I-FA International) on the theme of environmental protection. Dressed in green, they also planted saplings and pledged to plant more trees.