The scribes here under the banner of Zilla Sambadik Sangh in collaboration with 4th Battalion of CRPF took up plantation along CRPF-Hatipathar road as a part of a massive drive in the district which has been initiated by Collector Dr Sashi Bhusan Padhi.
Welcoming the gathering of students and teachers from nearby Saraswati Sishu Mandir, Public Divine School, Vivekananda Vidya Mandir and Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Institute Technology, jawans, forest officials and general public, senior scribe Kirti Chandra Sahu said that time had come not only to plant trees but also to save and sustain them on a prolonged basis.
The Sambadik Sangh president and the convenor of the event said, “The people in the cities use more and more wooden furniture employing the poor tribals in the hinterland to cut trees. So the city based people need to be made aware of the trend and find out a solution.” He cited the example of America, which had conserved its vast jungle but destroyed the forest of Brazil and Africa. “So let us not destroy forest and use wood for our luxury and blame the whole world for environment degradation like America,” he said.
The DFO said, “We need wood from our birth to death. However, the availability of wood for this purpose in OFDC is becoming scarce. At least, for this reason and for other various uses, one must plant trees. One also has to lessen the use of wood as there are lots of alternatives to wood use. We need to strictly monitor and follow up after the plantation is over. The local citizens have a greater responsibility even for tree policing.”
The CGM, JKPM ltd expressed his concern over the deterioration of the bio-diversity and assured all kind of cooperation from the paper mills in greening Rayagada.
Balaram Behera, Commandant, 4th Battalion, who attended as chief guest on the occasion, vividly described the usefulness of trees and commitment of CRPF in realising their social responsibility. “In ancient days, the king ordered the soldiers to plant trees beside the roads so that the passersby can rest under the canopies. We are committed to play different social roles apart from restoring normalcy in a particular area. There has to be concerted effort of different stakeholders like media persons, officials, the common man to take up plantation along avenues,” he said. Scribe Nalini Pani extended vote of thanks.