Lucknow: Isabella Thoburn College, Lucknow, organised a grand Van Mahotsav (Tree Plantation Festival) in collaboration with the Gomti Task Force, 137 CETF Battalion (TA), 39 Gorkha Rifles, and Namami Gange with the objective of promoting environmental conservation, river rejuvenation, biodiversity, and sustainable development.
The programme was graced by Dr. Major Neerja Masih, Officiating Principal, Degree College, and Karuna Masih, Officiating Principal, Intermediate College. Faculty members, non-teaching staff, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, and students from both the Degree and Intermediate Colleges participated enthusiastically in the celebration.
The programme commenced with an enlightening address by Subedar Mahesh Kumar of the Gomti Task Force. He highlighted the importance of herbal and medicinal plants and explained their immense value in healthcare, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable living. He introduced the students to a wide variety of medicinal plants and encouraged them to contribute actively towards protecting nature and preserving ecological balance.
Following the awareness session, all students, teachers, and staff members took a solemn pledge to conserve rivers, protect the environment, avoid the use of single-use plastic, and actively participate in tree plantation and environmental conservation initiatives.
A large-scale plantation drive was then conducted across the college campus, in which more than 250 students enthusiastically participated by planting over 200 saplings. The Gomti Task Force, 137 CETF Battalion (TA), 39 Gorkha Rifles generously donated all the saplings to the college, including a large number of herbal and medicinal plants, further enriching the already diverse flora and fauna of the Isabella Thoburn College campus.
More than ten soldiers of the Gomti Task Force actively supervised and guided the plantation drive. They demonstrated scientific methods of plantation and motivated students to become responsible environmental stewards. Herbal and medicinal plants were also distributed free of cost among the students to encourage their cultivation at home and to spread awareness about their medicinal and ecological importance within society.
The success of the programme was made possible through the dedicated efforts of Nisar (College Gardener), Budhram, Maintenance Officer Anugrah Dhuliya, and the entire gardening staff. They had prepared all the plantation pits a day in advance, ensuring the smooth and systematic execution of the plantation drive.
The plantation campaign witnessed the enthusiastic participation of NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, and students from both the Degree and Intermediate Colleges. The entire campus reflected a spirit of unity, environmental responsibility, and collective commitment towards creating a greener and healthier future. Participants wholeheartedly appreciated the initiative undertaken by the college in collaboration with the Gomti Task Force.
On behalf of the President, Dr. E. S. Charles, Dr. Major Neerja Masih, Officiating Principal of the Degree College, expressed her sincere gratitude to the Gomti Task Force, 137 CETF Battalion (TA), 39 Gorkha Rifles, and Namami Gange for organising this meaningful initiative. She appreciated the generous donation of more than 200 saplings and the free distribution of herbal and medicinal plants among the students. She remarked that such collaborative initiatives play a significant role in nurturing environmental awareness, strengthening the spirit of community service, and inspiring young people to protect rivers and natural resources.
The Van Mahotsav concluded on a highly inspiring note, leaving every participant with a renewed sense of responsibility towards environmental conservation. The programme reinforced the message that protecting nature through tree plantation, conserving rivers, and promoting herbal biodiversity are essential steps towards building a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future. The event will remain a memorable milestone in the environmental initiatives of Isabella Thoburn College.
