TURA: Widespread plantation of different species of trees was undertaken across South West Garo Hills district as part of World Environment Day activities as well as One Citizen One Tree campaign from June 4 to June 6, 2019. Nearly 80,000 saplings were planted in the district during occasion.
The mass tree plantation programme was spearheaded by the Basin Development Unit, Ampati in collaboration with the line departments, various NGOs, schools and communities of the district. The tree plantation was led by South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner and Chairman, BDU, Ramkumar S, who planted saplings at Phuljuri village under Zikzak Block, Boldakgre and Ampati Songma under Betasing Block and Wakkagre under Rerapara Block on Thursday.
In the three blocks of the district, BDO Zikzak M.L.K.Marak and BDO Rerapara, R.Z.D.Shira led the communities in distribution and plantation of saplings. Altogether 10,000 saplings each were distributed and planted in 10 identified villages under each block.
Tree plantations were undertaken in government offices, schools, Anganwadi centres, PHCs/CHCs, along the roads and in barren lands of the district. As part of the occasion, Health centres in the district had encouraged fathers of new born babies during the week to plant saplings in memory of their children which were warmly received by the citizens.
Maximum number of 45,500 saplings were planted by Soil & Water Conservation Department in 10 identified villages of the district. Tree plantation under Springshed Development Project was organized by Divisional Soil & Water Conservation Office, Ampati in collaboration with NABARD at Bolchugre as part of World Environment Day.
Several NGOs and church organizations, including Bakdil NGO, A’chik Holistic Awakening Movement, All A’chik Youth Federation and Chengkompara Baptist Church also participated in the tree plantation. Bakdil, in collaboration with MBDA through their SHG formations had planted 7000 saplings on World Environment Day.
Besides mass tree plantation, various other activities were also conducted as part of the World Environment Day 2019. Awareness talks, green march and painting competition for children were also conducted by the District Health Society in collaboration with Swachhta Pakhwada and HDFC Bank in Ampati Civil Hospital premises as part of WED activities on Wednesday.