Gonda: As part of the ongoing Van Mahotsav (Forest Festival) celebrations, Divisional Commissioner Durga Shakti Nagpal led a tree plantation drive at the Commissioner’s Office campus in Gonda, planting saplings alongside schoolchildren and encouraging citizens to actively participate in environmental conservation.
During the programme, saplings of Peepal, Pakad, Banyan, and other indigenous tree species were planted. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about the importance of afforestation and inspire people to contribute towards a greener and healthier environment.
Addressing the gathering, Commissioner Durga Shakti Nagpal emphasized that tree plantation is essential for ensuring a happy, prosperous, and balanced life. She stated that forests are indispensable for sustaining life on Earth and play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance.
“Trees are the primary source of oxygen. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, making life possible on our planet. In addition, they absorb harmful gases such as sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide and help filter pollutants from the atmosphere, providing us with cleaner and healthier air,” she said.
Highlighting the growing need for environmental protection, the Commissioner noted that increasing urbanization and environmental challenges have made large-scale plantation drives more important than ever. She urged residents to plant and nurture more trees to ensure a sustainable future for coming generations.
She further remarked that trees contribute significantly to maintaining nature’s balance by preventing pollution, providing food and shelter to birds and wildlife, and offering shade during extreme summer conditions. “Just as we care for and nurture our children, planted saplings must also be protected and cared for so they can grow into healthy trees,” she added.
The Commissioner reiterated that trees are fundamental to life on Earth and called upon all citizens to actively participate in plantation campaigns and environmental conservation initiatives. She stressed that collective efforts are necessary to preserve ecological balance and combat the effects of climate change.
On the occasion, she also interacted with schoolchildren and encouraged them to become ambassadors of environmental awareness. To motivate the students, she distributed pens, books, and other educational materials among them.
The plantation drive was also attended by Anurag Priyadarshi, Divisional Forest Officer; Meenu Rana; Rajesh Kumar Yadav; Rajesh Kumar Pandey; and several other government officials and staff members.
The event formed part of the state-wide Van Mahotsav campaign, which seeks to promote environmental sustainability and encourage public participation in increasing green cover across Uttar Pradesh. Through such initiatives, the administration aims to foster environmental responsibility among citizens, particularly young students, and strengthen efforts toward creating a cleaner, greener, and healthier future.
