Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday applauded the efforts of Central Coalfields limited(CCl) for carrying out a massive plantation drive ‘lakshya Vrikshapan Abhiyan’ in Varanasi during a programme of ‘Safai Mitro Ko Samman’ (Honour to sanitation workers) to mark the birthday of PM Narendra Modi. Adiyanath appreciated CCl for its commitment to protect environment for the sustainable development and said that it is setting exemple for other PSUs and organisations. He further said that this plantation drive will lead to awareness among people towards environment.
CCl is committed to plant one lakh saplings of mango, neem, banyaan, peepal etc in more than 200 villages and urban places in Varanashi. Saplings are being distributed among people in Sewapuri Vikas Khand, Kashi Vidyapeeth Khand, Arajeelions Vikas Khand and other urban places of the Varanasi district.
Till date, more than 35,000 saplings have been made available for distribution in about 75 villages of three blocks and a robust system is working to ensure distribution of plants at village-level. Social organisations and educational institutions are playing significant role in the ongoing plantation drive carried out by the CCl. Mainly, fruit bearing plants are distributed with objective of creating employment opportunities in future, increase of intake of nutritional food and become source of income/livelihood in coming years. One-two plant is being provided to one family to ensure the protection of the saplings.
Senior officials of CCl including Alok Kumar(HOD, Forest), Sunil Singh (Chief Manager ,Civil), Victor Kujur (Sr. Manager, Pers), Ankur Gautam, G C Purohit and others are supervising distribution of plants among people in Varanasi.
This programme is being run by CCl under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The company has been committed to the ‘Overall development of villagers, downtrodden and workforce.’ More than 50 welfare schemes by CCl are being implemented in Jharkhand in the field of education, health, environment, skill development etc, which have benefited lakhs of people. CCl has signed an MoU with the Horticulture Department of the State Govt. of UP to provide/supply one lakh plants and assist in its distribution.