The Cyclone Fani has caused huge damages to the environment by uprooting innumerable trees. Even passersby do not find a tree to take rest under its shade to get relief from the scorching heat. Plantation ant upbringing of saplings in scientific ways is a need to restore the greenery and protect the environment.
Orissa Environmental Society president Dr Sundara Narayan Patro and secretary Dr Jaya Krushna Panigrahy have stated in a Press release.
“The State Government, various organisations, communities and individuals have come forward to plant trees in a massive way. It is a welcome step. But upbringing of saplings is a major task now. We can’t get benefits of plantation if the saplings are not taken care of till they are grown fully,” they opined.
They said more than 50 lakh trees can be planted easily in Bhubaneswar in five years if each person takes care of a tree every year for five years.
The two environmentalists stressed that plantation should be undertaken in scientific ways so that they can be protective against both climate change and soaring temperature. They emphasized that mango, neem, jackfruit and karanj trees should be planted as they can grow fast in the State’s climate and provide shelters to animals, birds and insects. Similarly, specific places should be chosen for plantation of medicinal trees. Steps should be taken to create mangrove and casuarinas forests along the sea coast, they opined.
All trees should be kept under direct supervision of Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) so that the record of all trees can be maintained, they opined further.