Dehradun: A one-day “Plantation Drive” under the major programme “Our Environment, Our Development” was organized at Gram Panchayat, Lower Kandoli, Sahaspur Block, Dehradun by Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), a Doon based NGO with the support of Sharon Bio-Medicine Ltd., Dehradun.
Padma Shree Avdhash Kaushal, Chairperson Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra, Project Coordinator Sonali Sharma along with other eminent people namely Dr. Brij Mohan Sharma, social activist, Dr. Mona Bali, English educator, Nari Shilp Vidya Mandir, Asha Manorama Dobriyal Sharma, Senior Vice President, Uttarakhand Mahila Congress, Kandoli Pradhan – Mukesh, Zila Panchayat Member – Megh Singh, Dinesh Chand Joshi, Chairman, Van Samiti, and . Manoj Mamgain, Human Resource Manager, Sharon Bio-Medicine Ltd., participated in the drive. The plantation drive was among the third activity conducted as part of a unique initiative “Hamara Paryavaran, Hamara Vikas”.
During the drive around 100 trees of different varieties such as neem, apple, guava, peepal, mango, jackfruit, banyan, lemon, to name a few were planted. The IEC material distributed by the team educated the people about the need to promote green environment around us. An eco-club for the protection of trees was also formed with Ramteerath, a local expert in plant management, as its Head. Before the plantation drive a formal discussion was carried out on topics related to environmental conservation, energy efficiency, waste management, and pollution. One of the eminent speakers Dr. Brij Mohan Sharma, a social activist informed the participants about his work. He said “Environment protection does not come with only talks and discussions.
Our team has done great work in the field of energy conservation and efficiency. We continue to spread this message for a better tomorrow.” Dr. Mona Bali also thanked the organization for their efforts and concern towards a greener environment. Padma Shree Avdhash Kaushal said “The NGO has always done work to uplift rural
lives. This time we wanted to connect Gram Panchayats with environment and hence we conducted the drive here.” Mr. Manoj Mamgain, HR Manager, Sharon Bio-Medicine Ltd., said “As a corporate worker even I think of environment as a moral responsibility and through this joint initiative between RLEK and our company, I wish to make a small but significant change in our immediate surroundings.” Mr. Avdhesh Sharma, one of the key organizers of this event said “We wish to bring this message of environmental conservation to the rural people. Their engagement as a whole is important.” It is to be noted that climate change has become a major challenge for the city dwellers. Considering this, the organization had previously conducted a road transport improvement campaign, and a one-day district level seminar on youth and their efforts towards environment sustainability. RLEK ensures to run many such environmentally friendly activities in the upcoming days which includes dustbin installation in police chowkis, formation of eco-clubs in schools, awareness creation sessions, to name a few.
