With a motto to save trees, environment and the Earth, chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday utilized the occasion of 'Raksha Bandhan' to tie rakhi around trees here. "Protection of trees is the need of the hour to save environment and protect the world from natural disasters," he said while appealing to people to plant at least one tree during their lifetime and protect trees from felling.
Nitish along with deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi went to Rajdhani Vatika, a newly-developed eco-park near the secretariat, to tie rakhis around trees. This programme had been announced by Modi on August 9 when the state observed Earth Day. On the same day, the ruling JD (U) launched its tree plantation drive with a target of planting about 50 lakh new saplings to maintain ecological balance.
"Green colour and greenery give a soothing effect. So more plants and trees would have a healthy impact on the human body, mind and soul," said the CM and added Bihar is making a sincere effort to protect the environment. "Bihar is changing and this exercise will make Bihar green and beautiful," he said.
Nitish said tree plantation is going on a large scale in the state under various programmes. Under MNREGA, 5,000 trees will be planted in each panchayat and students are also participating in a separate plantation drive. He urged people to plant trees on their own land too.
Deputy CM Modi said in Patna 21,000 saplings will be planted in three years, which will make the state capital a green spot. He said trees will be planted in other towns, along roads and embankments too. "On 'Raksha Bandhan', not only sisters tied rakhi to their brothers but men and women also took a pledge to protect trees," said Modi.
JD (U) MLA Poonam Devi led a group of women and girls in tying rakhi to Nitish and Modi. Others present on the occasion included Nand Kishore Yadav, Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Narendra Singh, P K Shahi, Shyam Rajak, S N Arya and Sukhda Pandey, all ministers.
"Green colour and greenery give a soothing effect. So more plants and trees would have a healthy impact on the human body, mind and soul," said the CM and added Bihar is making a sincere effort to protect the environment. "Bihar is changing and this exercise will make Bihar green and beautiful," he said.
Nitish said tree plantation is going on a large scale in the state under various programmes. Under MNREGA, 5,000 trees will be planted in each panchayat and students are also participating in a separate plantation drive. He urged people to plant trees on their own land too.
Deputy CM Modi said in Patna 21,000 saplings will be planted in three years, which will make the state capital a green spot. He said trees will be planted in other towns, along roads and embankments too. "On 'Raksha Bandhan', not only sisters tied rakhi to their brothers but men and women also took a pledge to protect trees," said Modi.