Mass tree planting

PRESS RELEASE: MASS TREE PLANTATION DRIVE – IISER TVM

The Unnat Bharat Abhiyan Cell of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Thiruvananthapuram in association with Christ Nagar School ‘Nalla Padam Club’, National Service Scheme of Govt. Women’s College, Thiruvananthapuram and Kerala Forest Department organised a mass tree plantation drive in the campus of IISER TVM on 02 Aug 19.

The programme was inaugurated by planting of a sapling by Shri. Adv K Raju, Hon’ble Minister for Forest, Animal Husbandry and Zoos. Saplings were also planted by Shri KS Sabarinathan MLA, Aruvikkara, Smt. SL Krishnakumari, President, Vithura Grama Panchayath, Prof. J. N. Moorthy, Director, IISER TVM, faculty members, staff and students from IISER TVM, Govt. Women’s College, Thiruvananthapuram and Christ Nagar School .

A public meeting convened thereafter was presided over by Shri K. S. Sabarinathan MLA, Aruvikkara . Prof M. P. Rajan, Dean (Academics) of IISER TVM welcomed the dignitaries. Shri K. S. Sabarinathan MLA mentioned that the Western Ghats play a key role in providing oxygen and pure water to the cities of Kerala and that we must preserve the ecology of Western Ghats for sustainability. He mentioned that the students should be the ambassadors to promote the message of environmental conservation and protection.

Shri. Adv K. Raju, Hon’ble Minister for Forest, Animal Husbandry and Zoos inaugurated the public meeting. During his address, he stressed about the need of conserving the environment and urged the students to play an important role in the same. He mentioned that the most polluted cities in the world are in India and that we need to do a lot for improving the conditions. He urged the students to plant more saplings and ensure that they grow into big trees. He also directed the school authorities to constitute awards for those students who nurture the planted saplings well.

The key note address was delivered by Prof J. N. Moorthy, Director IISER TVM. He assured that the lost greenery in the campus site due to the ongoing constructions will be restored in a time bound manner. The meeting was felicitated by Smt. Krishnakumari, President, Vithura Grama Panchayath, Smt. Subha, Shri. Shahul and Shri. Shiburaj, members of Vithura Grama Panchayath, Range Forest Officer, Vithura and Principal, Christ Nagar School.

It is planned to plant ten thousand tree saplings in the campus as part of this drive. The planted saplings will be taken care of by the student volunteers of the participating institutions.