Bhubaneswar: In a unique appeal to promote environmental consciousness, three prominent Odisha Ministers called upon the public to embrace gifting plants instead of flower bouquets as part of New Year celebrations. The initiative, supported by the Bakul Foundation, aims to integrate climate action into cultural practices.
The call was made during a press conference organized by the Bakul Foundation, where its founder, Sujit Mahapatra, highlighted the 15-year journey of the “My Tree Campaign.”
The campaign encourages individuals to form personal connections with trees through tree plantation initiatives at events such as birthdays, weddings, and festivals.
Mahapatra emphasized the potential impact, noting that even if 1% of the lakhs of bouquets exchanged in Odisha were replaced by plants, it could result in thousands of trees being planted.
Minister for Law, Works, and Excise Prithviraj Harichandan expressed gratitude to the Bakul Foundation for its efforts and its influence on incorporating climate action into political manifestos.
He detailed environment-friendly initiatives by the Works Department, such as using recycled plastic in road construction and replanting mature trees when necessary.
Harichandan also shared an emotional anecdote about planting a tree in memory of his brother-in-law, underscoring the profound personal connections that can be made through such acts.
Minister for Forest, Environment & Climate Change and Labour, Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, praised the Bakul Foundation for sparking what he called a potential cultural revolution.
He emphasized that such grassroots initiatives could achieve outcomes beyond the scope of government programs.
Highlighting the biodiversity of Odisha, he called for a collective effort to restore the state to its former ecological glory by 2036. To set an example, Khuntia announced his plans to plant a tree with his son on his birthday.
Minister for Odia Language, Literature & Culture, Higher Education, and Sports & Youth Services, Suryabanshi Suraj, invoked the cultural reverence for trees in Sanatana Dharma, citing Lord Jagannath’s association with trees as “Daaru Debata.”
He emphasized that planting trees should be seen as a sacred offering and praised the Bakul Foundation for aligning environmental efforts with cultural values. Suraj underscored the importance of the appeal by noting the presence of three key Ministers advocating for the cause.
The press conference concluded with “Tree Man” Dedi Loku, the green superhero of the Kui language, presenting plants to the Ministers as symbolic gifts.
The Ministers urged the public to join this movement and start the New Year by gifting plants to promote sustainability and environmental well-being.
