Kolkata,Giving impetus to army's
efforts in keeping city's Maidan area green, civil society groups, NGOs and
schoolchildren joined hands with the custodian of the land, Headquarters Bengal
Area, to launch a reinvigorated plantation campaign, here today.
Campaign 'O2000' - derived by fusing the chemical
formula of the ubiquitous oxygen with the figure 2000, roughly the number of saplings
aimed to be planted, GOC Bengal Area, Lt Gen Raman Dhawan led the initiative by
planting a sapling that was followed by plantations by others including
students from nearly 25 city-based schools.
Based on the survival
statistics of the plantations of previous years, saplings of hard-variety and
deep-rooted ones measuring roughly three feet were planted that will survive
vagaries of weather and other vicissitudes of times. In addition, a sturdy tree
guard around the saplings were also erected to ensure further survivability.
The organisations
that participated in the campaign with the army include Kolkata Municipal
Corporation, State Public Works Department, Sidha Group and Centre for
Contemporary Communication besides NCC cadets and students from schools
including Army Public School, Ballygunje, La Martiniere, Loreto and Modern High
School among others.
It may be mentioned
that in recent times even media organisations have joined the efforts of enhancing
greenery by adding trees in Maidan. The endeavor made by youth brigades in
preceding years is evidently seen as a Palm tree garden opposite Victoria
Memorial attracts a large number of visitors here.
Gen Dhawan thanked
the civil society groups, NGOs and others who contributed towards the
initiatives for a greener and cleaner Maidan. He also expressed hope that the
saplings would be looked after by PWD and KMC till they become fully grown
trees in times to come.