Expressing concern over rising ecological imbalance and climate change happening due to excessive felling of trees and decrease in forest cover, Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal on Tuesday appealed the people of the State to plant as many trees as possible.
Addressing a gathering during ‘Van Mahotsava’ held at Amera village of Palari Development Block in Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara district on Tuesday, Agrawal said that trees played an important role in human life as they absorbed the carbon-dioxide released by humans and provide oxygen, which was an important element for survival.
Besides this, he said, the trees also provided shade, fruits and maintain a balance in the environment, adding that people should plant trees to save environment.
Agrawal planted a banyan tree on the occasion and appealed to the people to form groups of five persons in each village to plant trees and protect them. Vice-president of Raipur District Panchayat, Parmeshwar Yadu also appealed to each and every person to plant tree and protect them.
The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) said the ‘Van Mahotsava’ has been organised on the occasion of ‘Tiger Day.’ He said that Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara district has 44 % forest area and has Baranvapara sanctuary. The forest area has been recognized at the national level for tourism.
The DFO said that dense forest has been developed on 200 hectares of land between Baloda Bazar and Bhatapara by constituting a forest committee. In Amera village, 3000 trees of different varieties including Banyan, Neem, Peepal, Karanj, Jamun, Arjun etc have been planted on 2 hectares of land.
Collector Rajesh Kumar Toppo, public representatives, students and officers of different departments were present on the occasion.