Pune: The state government has put its best foot forward to ensure that its youth and future generations are well aware about nature and its conservation. The school and college going children will now impart knowledge about tree plantation, conservation and will be graded on the basis of the same.
The student will have to take care of the plant for the entire year and will be evaluated on the same basis. Also, lessons of tree plantation and conservation will be considered as a new subject for the students and will be given grades.
Speaking about this, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said “The rapid increase in urbanisation is taking a toll on the environment and to strike a balance it’s extremely important that massive tree plantation drives are conducted and moreover, the trees are conserved. Every individual should participate to better the situation.”
A letter about these initiatives and the road ahead has been handed over the forest officials and others who will be involved in the same. The forest officials, state government authorities and schools/colleges will be working collectively over the next three months.
Sayaji Shinde, founder of Sahyadri Devrai said, “The idea of conserving trees in this manner was put forth by me and was appreciated and taken ahead by the state government. Student participation plays a crucial role here as this will be the future generation. Every student should plant a tree in the beginning of the year and take care of the same throughout the year.”Vivek Khandekar, the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Pune division) speaking about the Forest Department’s contribution in the initiative, said, “The programme of tree plantation will happen through our end. Currently, we are in the initial planning stage, however, we will be able to help the schools and colleges in setting up nurseries by providing trees/saplings as and how needed.”