Bhubaneswar: To create a greenery atmosphere in educational institutions, School and Mass Education Principal Secretary Satyabrata Sahu has asked all Districts Collectors to take up a week-long plantation drive on campaign mode in all educational institutions under the Department fold.
Conveying the decision taken at a review meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary on June 25, Mr.Sahu informed the Collectors that plantation drives will be undertaken across the State.
This special campaign will be a part of Vana Mahotsav, 2021 which is scheduled to be held from July 1 to July 7, 2021.
The Chief Secretary has also took up a virtual review meeting again on June 27, 2021 where Special Secretary, Forest & Environment, Additional PCCF (Afforestation), Director, Special Projects, PR & DW Department, Director, Horticulture, State Nodal Officer—MDM, Additional Secretary—S&ME Department, Senior Officials from NRGEA and all DEOs of the State were present.
As the S&ME Department has a majority presence in the State, it was decided at the meeting that all the schools of the Department can have green coverage within a stipulated period.
“This Plantation activities can be taken up in all schools having boundary walls. Trees of forest species and fruit bearing varieties which can have growth in that particular area and suitable to local conditions of their schools must be planted inside the campus,” Mr.Sahu told the Collectors.
He said that 22 Districts have done a commendable job by convening District Level Plantation Committee Meeting and in the meantime others 8 Districts might have completed.
The District Education Officers (DEOs) have been asked to be involved in attending such meetings. The DEOs have been advised to give requisition about the requirement of both forest and fruit bearing species to the Collectorate.
The District Administrations will take steps in coordination with both forest and Horticulture Department officials to provide the required tree saplings to the DEOs.
The Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water (PR & DW) Department has agreed to provide funds for maintenance of these plants for four years out of the NREGA fund.
The Collectors and DEOs were advised to encourage private schools for such plantation drives.
“Efforts should also be made for developing vermin compost pit inside every school by recycling MDM waste and other biodegradables. The same thing can be taken up under NREGA,” the Principal Secretary further said in his letter.
Mr.Sahu further requested the Collectors to review this matter in the monthly DEOs/ BEOs meeting or any meeting held at District level on plantation.