‘Plant a tree and get extra marks in school exam’

BERHAMPUR: The Ganjam administration launched the ‘One student, one plant’ campaign on World Environment Day on Sunday to increase the district’s green cover.
Under the initiative, every school student was asked to plant a sapling and take care of it round the year.
The administration also said students who perform well in the drive would get extra marks in their annual examination.
“We will give free saplings to every student, especially those studying in Classes VI to X. They will plant the saplings on their school campuses, public places and near their houses,” said Ganjam collector Vijay Amruta Kulange after launching the campaign at Brundaban Government High School, Hinjili.
“Various samplings, including that of fruit-bearing trees, will be provided by forest, soil conservation and horticulture departments. The initiative aims to increase the district’s green cover and involve students in the process,” Kulange added.
He also said officials will evaluate from time to time how the plants are being taken care of.
“The decision to give extra marks to those who performed well in the drive will be finalised after discussion with officials concerned,” the collector said.
The Ganjam district administration has also decided to plant around 8 lakh saplings under the Mukhyamantri Karma Tatpara Abhiyan, a state government initiative on the lines of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, and help create sustainable community assets.