Aiming at promoting Mission Green, Mohali Green Rally gathered huge support from all sections of the society today. Before flagging off the unique Initiative of the Department of Forest and Wildlife in collaboration with NGOs, Students, NCC Cadets, CRPF Personnel, Punjab Minister for Forest and Wildlife, Lal Chand Kataruchak said that this rally would convey the Mission Green across the State with its onset from Mohali.
He said that Bhagwant Singh Mann Government has taken initiative of Plantation of 1.25 crore Saplings across the state during the year and 80 percent of the target has already been completed so far. He said that the Department of Forest and Wildlife has also started a campaign to plant a minimum of three Saplings (Triveni) at Government Tubewells besides sensitising the others to do so as climate change effects need more plantation.
Similarly to make the National Highways green field highways, four major highways of Punjab have been chosen for plantation on both sides. He stressed the need for an increase in green cover to counter the climate changes and global warming.
He also referred to the quotes of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi to highlight the importance of the environment and trees. He planted saplings in the premises of Government College Mohali, Phase 6.
Punjab Information and Public Relations Minister, Chetan Singh Jauramajra while joining the Green Mohali Rally, planted Saplings at Rose Garden, 3B1, Mohali. Welcoming the move of the Mohali district by taking out Green Mohali Rally, he said that we need to work on Mission mode to make Punjab Green.
He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has already taken the initiative of plantation under Shaheed E Azam Bhagat Singh Hariawal Lehar. Under this mission, the targets of planting 50,000 saplings in each constituency have successfully been accomplished.
He said that the Bhagwant Singh Mann Government is fully committed to transform Punjab into Rangla Punjab by adopting various public oriented measures and decisions. He said that it's our duty to co-operate the initiatives of the State Government in letter and spirit to make Punjab number one state in India.
He said the message spread by today's Mohali Green Rally is a very good initiative and it should be replicated across the state at local level. He also distributed the plants to the students present there and exhorted them to take care of plants to ensure proper blooming.
He also appealed to the farmers to plant 10-10 trees at their tubewells to promote the green cover. He said that he would regularly take care of the saplings planted at the Rose Garden today.
Chairperson, District Planning Committee, Prabhjot Kaur also planted Saplings in continuation of the Rally at Bougainville Garden, Phase 4, Mohali.Chairman Punjab Water Supply and Sewarage Board, Dr Sunny Singh Ahluwalia who were also the part of Mohali Green Rally added that the Mission Green Mohali would gather support of all walks of life definitely as the impressive show of today's rally has given a strong message to save the environment.
Principal Budh Ram, MLA, while joining the rally at GMADA also planted the saplings and appreciated the initiative of the Forest and Wildlife Department to sensitise the students and citizens of the importance of trees. Kulwant Singh, MLA Mohali while joining the culmination of the Mohali Green Rally at the multipurpose Sports complex, sector 78 administered a pledge to the participants to safeguard the environment by planting maximum trees.
He himself planted a sapling to mark the culmination at the premises of the multipurpose sports complex. Divisional Forest Office, Kanwardeep Singh while expressing thanks to the Ministers, MLAs and Chairpersons who make the rally a mission with their importance said that the students, NGOs and CRPF Personnel have did a remarkable job to convey the message of green and clean environment.
Chief Conservator of Forests (Hills) Mrs Nidhi Srivastava was also present there. Coordinator of the Green Mohali Rally Parminder Pal Singh said that various organizations came together on a common platform to raise voice collectively namely
Sewak Sabha, Zirakpur, Mool Srishtee Foundation, Chandigarh, Fit Foundation, Warrior Sports and welfare organisation, Pukaar- the voice of humanity, Green Planet Society, Late Yog Raj Foundation, Hariawal Punjab, Desh Bhagat Radio, Diplast etc.
To reduce the carbon footprint all participants carried their own water bottles and refreshments. Also chhabeel arranged by various volunteers at many spots. Steel glasses used instead of disposable.