Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 22 July 2025
The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) organized a Mass Tree Plantation Drive and Awareness Rally on the theme “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” as a part of the 76th Van Mahotsav celebrations, aiming to advertise consciousness in regards to the significance of timber in sustaining a greener and more healthy planet.
The occasion was inaugurated by Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, who flagged off the notice rally because the chief visitor. Dr. Sanjay Kumar Sinha, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Department of Environment and Forests, graced the event because the particular visitor.
The rally, which started on the Botanical Garden, handed via varied residential areas and concluded on the Tsunami Shelter in Nayashahar. Students from Nature Camps and NCC cadets of JNRM actively participated within the rally, which additionally included the distribution of fruit-bearing saplings corresponding to Kokum, Kattaphal, and Mango to residents.
Following the rally, a Mass Tree Plantation drive was carried out on the Dhanikhari Experimental Garden-cum-Arboretum, the place native species like Rudraksha had been planted. Ms. Pallavi Sarkar, Secretary (Agriculture), A&N Administration, additionally joined in by planting a sapling.
Interacting with college students and individuals, the Chief Secretary emphasised the significance of collective accountability in conserving biodiversity, increasing inexperienced cowl, and spreading scientific information among the many public. He lauded BSI’s contributions in plant conservation and burdened the necessity for higher group involvement in environmental preservation. He additionally highlighted the potential for sustainable commercialization of native plant sources corresponding to cinnamon, vanilla, and different economically viable wild fruits and species.
Earlier, Dr. Lal Ji Singh, Additional Director and Regional Head of BSI, welcomed the dignitaries and briefed them about BSI’s function within the survey, documentation, and conservation of the distinctive plant wealth of the Islands.
The programme concluded with a tree plantation session and a guided tour via the varied conservatory sections of the BSI Garden at Nayashahar. (Story Based on PR)
