In a first of its kind of event in the country, as claimed by Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB), the board in collaboration with the Forest & Environment department will plant around 16 lakh saplings to mark Harit Diwas on August 31.
Interestingly, as many as 100 saplings will be planted in 15,000 middle and upper schools protected with solid boundary walls. The board and the department have decided to bring students of class IX to XII take on the same platform on the day. The students will plant saplings which will be tagged with their name and will be maintained by the same student.
“Our aim is to make students aware of the threat to the environment,” said Chairman JPCB Manishankar. Notably, around 15, 000 students, 1000 army jawans and several NGOs will be engaged to restore the lost green cover. Significantly, the department of Forest & Environment will provide the saplings for planting in all districts of Jharkhand and will accomplish the task with the JSPCB which will generate public support for the event. The department has vowed to extend its support beyond plantation. “If the saplings die we will replace it with fresh one,” said PCCF Jharkhand AK Malhotra.
The board has plans to put up as many as 300 hoardings and 1000 banners to create awareness among public to solicit support in their endeavor to bring the environment back to its original state. Industries who are often share the blame for environment degradation will plant around 2 lakh saplings in their premises on Harit Diwas.