Governor Acharya Devvrat today inaugurated the state level plantation campaign under 69th Van Mahotsava at Ganevag (Nehra) near Shimla jointly organized by Forest department and State Red Cross Society, Shimla. More than 5000 saplings were planted under this campaign. The Governor and Lady Governor also planted sapling of Deodar on the occasion.On the occasion, the Governor called upon the people to make plantation a part of life. He said that trees were a gift and boon of nature and their preservation and conservation was essential. He said everyone should plant saplings on special occasions like birthdays, anniversary etc.“Plantation is a noble cause, as it gives life; therefore trees also fall in the Dev category. Without green cover life can't be imagined”said Acharya Devvrat.He expressed concern over the depletion of forest area causing threat to the environment and added that today, the world was facing the challenge of global warming, holes have been found in the ozone layer, due to which the glaciers were melting sharply and the temperature was rising.
He said that plantation drive could save and balance the environment and urged the people to take actively part in plantation drive, promoting the agenda and follow it after sapling the plants. He appreciated the efforts of the Forest Department in this regard.Principal Chief Conservator of Forest S.K. Sharma briefed about the programmes being run by the Forest department to increase the green cover of the state.Bobby Bansal, Pradhan, Gram Panchayat Ganyog Nehara expressed gratitude to the Governor for launching the plantation campaign in her Panchayat area.Former MP Vimla Kashyap, Councilor, Municipal Corporation Shimla Kimi Sood, President, Swami Vivekananda Seva Pratishthan Dr. Pramod Sharma, Vice President, State Red Cross Hospital Welfare Branch Firoza Vijay Singh, Honrary Secretary Poonam Chauhan, Executive Secretary of State Red Cross P.S. Rana, officers of district administration and Forest Department, students of Government High School, Nehra and Army personnel and took part in plantation drive.