Worried about the decreasing forest area of Ichak block in 2009 Jeeteshwar Prasad Mehta, Mahesh Mehta and Hridyanshu Kumar had constituted Jan-Jungle and Jal Bachao Samiti. They started from Moktama Village of Ichak block and within six years villagers of almost entire block are with them in this noble cause.
On Sunday, February 1, they organised a forest-cum- environment fair in Chabelwa forest area which is adjacent to Moktama village in which thousands of villagers participated and tied “Raksha Sutra” on trees with a pledge that they will save them and save the forest. The villagers were enchanting the slogan given by the committee members, “Save forest for Safe environment and healthy life”.
The day-long fair started with the worship of goddess of forest and then threads were tied on the trees with the pledge that everyone will now contribute in saving the forest. On this occasion different competitions were organised for the school students. local artists also gave their presentation to add colour of fair to this programme.
Addressing the gathering MlA Janki Yadav said that it is the forest which gives us pure air, water and many more things, so it is our duty to save the forests. Praising the organisers he said that this type of awareness programme needs to be spread in the entire district and State and assured that he will give all possible support and help to the organisers for this noble cause.
Guest of honour Vikram Singh Gaur said that our society and culture is closely associated with forests. Due to deforestation bad effect on society and culture cannot be avoided and we cannot live a healthy life. He hoped that in future this fair will become big and people from other parts of the district and State will come here to take the pledge of saving forest and environment.
Many distinguished denizens of Ichak block, forest officials of Hazaribagh district, political and social activists also addressed the gathering. In the evening the winner participants of different events were felicitated by the organisers.