Bhubaneswar: In an exemplary display of collective endeavour to protect and preserve the environment through community participation, more than 4000 saplings of different species were planted at Bachhera Hill in Jatni, a major sub-urban area of Bhubaneswar, today to mark the launch of ‘Sabuja Pahada’ (Greening Hillocks) project jointly organized by the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Khordha District Administration with an aim to restore, rejuvenate and increase the green cover in the Capital City and its outskirts.
According to an official press release, the participants of the mega event renewed their resolve to spearhead the collective efforts to expand the green cover, promote greener environment and combat the adverse effects of plastic pollution at Bachhera Hill, which will be transformed into an iconic Ecological Park by BDA where one can get a mini-forest experience.
A detailed plan of action is being prepared for Bachhera Bio Reserve with experts which once completed will offer a whole gamut of activities such as camping, trekking, resting shelters, adventure, creative and trail experiences for visitors.
Nearly 6000 people belonging to different sections of society and associations thronged the site early in the morning with great enthusiasm and spirit to participate in the mega plantation programme which has been organized with seamless support and smooth arrangements made by the Divisional Forest Office, Khurda, Jatni Municipality and Commissionerate Police.
Thanking all participants while launching the mega afforestation drive, Debidutta Biswal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), said: “With the support of all stakeholders such as BDA, Khordha District Administration, we are planting around 8000 saplings at Bachhera Hill today, which will be converted into an ecological park by BDA in the days to come.”
Nearly 2000 school students, hundreds of senior citizens and members of Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), members of Self-help Groups (SHGs), market associations, religious associations, transgender community, NGOs, representatives of political parties and several premier academic institutions such as IIT, NISER, BSF, ITBP personnel, students and staff of Centurion University among others joined the initiative with great interest.
Suresh Kumar Routray, MLA, Jatni, appreciated the mega plantation drive and thanked all concerned officials of the Forest Department, BDA, Khordha District Administration and Jatni Municipality for making the event truly grand and successful with the overwhelming support of local people.
Expressing his sincere thanks to every participant, especially school and college students, Balwant Singh, Vice-Chairman, BDA said: “Protecting our environment should be a collective endeavour and community-driven initiative. The objectives of tree plantations are to know the value of environment, benefits of trees, beautification in and around this (Bachhera Hill) area. Most importantly, tree plantation is a great way to increase students’ interest in their local environment and achieve academic goals for which we tried to involve more number of students in this programme.”
The BDA has been taking all possible measures to improve green cover and to create mini-urban forests through inter-departmental coordination and consultation.
To achieve inclusive development by eliminating environmental imbalance at Bachhera Hill which spreads over 26 acres of land, saplings of a wide variety of indigenous species were planted on five hectares of land. These are Sunari, Jacaranda, Tabibea, Cardia Sabestonia, Patuli, Palash, Gulmohar, Bottle brush, Gangasiuli and Mysore Queen under the Flowering Species category. Similarly, Harida, Bahada, Jamun, Seema Kaiya, Mango, Panas, Kaitha, Kantakoli, Ankula, Oau, Ache, Barkoli, Bela, Katha Badam, Bara, Dimiri and Buala are of fruit-bearing species.
Timber species include Teak, Sal, Mai, Rai, Dharua, Asana and Mahogany while Kaju, Katha Badam, Dalchini, Tez Patra and Nutmeg are under Nuts & Spices variety. Saplings of Lord Jagannath Car Timber species include Phasi, Neem, Dharua, Asana, Mai, Rai, Simili, Mahaneem, Paladhua, Gambhari, Moi, Kadamba, Sal and Bandhan were also planted on the occasion.
The entire plantation area has been divided into 11 zones, of which three zones are dedicated for students only while separate zones earmarked for SHG members and senior citizens. The participants’ name were tagged to the sapling which they planted and also tied a rakhi to it to take all required care it needs.
The Khordha District Administration has ensured all support and arrangements for smooth conduct of the programme. Speaking on the occasion, K Sudarshan Chakravarthy, Collector & DM, Khordha, said: “It should be our collective responsibility to preserve and protect the green cover in and around living areas.”
Poornima P, Divisional Forest Officer, Khordha, who closely monitored the plantation drive in great detail with his team, said: “Under Greening Hillocks project, we’re aiming to transform places like Bachhara Hills into urban forests inside Jatni Municipality, which offers wilderness that is generally experienced in dense reserve forests, along with ensuring public amenities like nursery, walking trails, interpretation centre, parking, etc. Urban afforestation is the need of the hour. Without a healthy natural ecosystem and a green environment, no economy or mankind can sustain for very long.”
Acknowledging their active participation and enthusiasm for the afforestation drive, a Letter of Appreciation has been handed over to participants, especially students and youth by the administration.
Under the initiative of ‘Sabuja Pahada’, the Forest Department and BDA aim to plant a whopping 30000 saplings within two weeks in three places. Next plantation drives are scheduled to be held at Sikharchandi Hill and Buddha Jayanti Hillock in the city through community participation.
Among others who were present Saumendra Kumar Priyadarshi, Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, Kabindra Kumar Sahu, Secretary, BDA, Ashoananda Dhar, Chief Horticulturist, BDA, Harish Chandra Nayak, Additional Commissioner (Enforcement), BDA, Dilip Kumar Mohanty, Executive Officer, Jatni Municipality.
