GOVERNOR’S SECRETARIAT
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
ITANAGAR

No IPR (PR) 3/2009                                                     Dated Naharlagun August 17, 2009

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. SL NO – 765

Plantation programme

Itanagar, August 16: “You have sown gold”, said Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen JJ Singh appreciating the people taking part in the plantation organized by Muskan society in collaboration with department of Environment and Forests, as a part of State wide programme at Raj Bhavan complex on Aug 16 last. Exhorting all, Gen Singh urged upon the people of Arunachal Pradesh to increase the forest cover of the State from 82% to 90% of the total area. It will be our contribution towards the betterment of the society, the world and for our future generations, the Governor, who planted Hollock and Hollong saplings on the occasion, pointed, reports PRO to Governor.

            Placing in record, his appreciation for the effort of the Muskan Society for its endeavour towards maintaining the rich green bounty of the State, the Governor said each and every Arunachalee has the responsibility for preservation of the exotic flora and fauna of the State.

Speaking on the occasion, State First Lady Anupama Singh, President, Muskan Society urged upon the people to plant a tree and join in the fight against global warming and atmospheric pollution caused by carbon dioxide emissions. Over the last 10 years, forest cover has diminished by 2.4 per cent worldwide. All plants release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide in order to survive and in so doing help cleanse the atmosphere. A hectare of mature forest absorbs the equivalent of years worth of carbon dioxide emissions from 250 cars, she justified.

Informing the participants, that they are joined by large numbers of Arunachalee in different parts of the State as the Go Green Arunachal plantation programme is being simultaneously organized through out the State, Muskan Society President pointed, with your enthusiastic participations, we can counter the ever-depleting forest covers of our beautiful State of Arunachal Pradesh. Moreover, it has given us immense confidence so that the Muskan Society can take up more social-economic up-liftment and environment related projects in the future. Dwelling on the endeavour of the Society, Singh urged upon the people to join in the effort of the Muskan Society to bring Muskan-a Smile on every childs face.

Earlier, in his key note address, Secretary to Governor Amit Singla pointed that effort of the Muskan Society and department of Environment and Forests under Raj Bhavan initiative will definitely go long way in preserving the God gifted bounty of the State. Social Forestry Divisional Forest Officer Kenjum Rina, who also spoke on the occasion expressed departments gratitude to the Governor and Muskan Society for providing an opportunity to participant in the programme, as a member of Team Arunachal, which will give huge impetus in preservation of the forests. Thanking the school children and media persons for participating in the programme, Rina said the participation of school children and media persons has always being of paramount importance to carry forward the message of preservation of rich flora and fauna.

Inspite of heavy shower, led by the Governor and State First Lady large numbers of students from different schools of capital complex, including children from Donyi Polo School for Hearing impaired, Chimpu and Collegians from Don Bosco College, Julli, took part in the programme. Lt Col JS Marwah (Retd), father of the Governor also joined in the plantation along with Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner Padmini Singla, SP Hibu Tamang, Chief Conservator of Forest T. Millang and other senior officers of Forest department. Members of Muskan society and Raj Bhavan officials also actively took part in it.

            Large numbers of saplings, including Teeta Champa and Hollong which are found in the foothills to middle belt of the Arunachal Pradesh to Hollok trees of Tirap, Changlang and Lohit areas were planted on the day. Rudrask, timber valued trees like Bogi Poma, Lali Poma and Jamun, medicinal trees like Arjun and Camper, multiple uses trees like Kanchan and flowering ones like Gulmohar in addition to much valued species like Azar were also planted by the participants in the Raj Bhavan Complex. In the coming days, people will find that the area has become a demonstration area featuring all economical viable and important trees of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Plantation programme, where more than thousands saplings were planted at Raj Bhavan complex is an endeavour of the Muskan Society members to instill love for the nature amongst the children at tender age and also the create awareness on climate changes, green house effects and other environment related issues.

Sd/
O. TAYENG, APRO