Dhanbad Municipal Corporation (DMC) in association with the district administration on Thursday conducted a massive planting drive under the Centre’s Jal Shakti Abhiyan.

Around 1 lakh saplings were planted on the divider of the 5km stretch between Memco Mor and City Centre Chowk and again from City Centre to Gol Building Chowk.

The drive began around 10am from Memco Mor Chowk in the presence of chief guest Anand Sherkhani, the nodal officer of Jal Shakti ministry. Mayor Chandrashekhar Agarwal, Dhanbad deputy commissioner Amit Kumar, deputy development commissioner Shashi Ranjan and DMC city manager Bijay Kumar were also present.

“The basic aim of the plantation drive is to make common people aware of the significance of environment conservation and water conservation measures,” Agarwal said.

City manager Kumar, who is coordinating the planting drive, said sapling of plants such as kaner, korobi, mussaenda and China Rose and croton had been planted to avoid damage by cows.

“This plants will also add to the beauty of the stretch and keep it green. Majority of the sapling planted today also have medicinal properties,” Kumar said, adding that a large number of NCC cadets and students of Government Polytechnic also helped in the drive. He said the DMC had a targeted to plant 1.25 lakh saplings under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, which started on July 1 and will conclude on September 15.