The township that lost significant green cover in the cyclones in recent years got a boost through twin plantation activities undertaken through private initiative on the occasion of World Environment Day.
FC Block Abasik Samity undertook a tree plantation drive at FC Park that took place over two days.
On June 9, about 15 saplings were planted encircling the fencing protecting the playground. While block residents enthusiastically lent a hand to the gardeners for the activity, getting themselves clicked in the process, minister and local MLA Sujit Bose dropped by in the evening to plant one himself.
The next day, two organisations, Global Sherpas Calcutta and Elixir Foundation, joined hands to plant about 70 saplings in the children’s park adjoining FC Park. “We are a hub of youths, aged 18 to 29 years, working under the World Economic Forum, to achieve sustainable development goals. Our focus is against climate change,” said Muskaan Sethia, a resident of CE Block, who had approached the block seeking space for plantation.
“We had been mulling increasing the neighbourhood’s green cover ever since the heat wave earlier in the year. We planted a total of 130 saplings from the block,” said assistant secretary Nilanjan Brahma. Naresh Debalay Foundation, which runs a temple in the block park, pitched in.
The block committee has entrusted the caretaker of the community hall with the duty of watering the 200-odd saplings. “If they survive, we will plant 300 more as our target is 500,” said secretary Debraj Das.
A philanthropic organisation based in Karunamoyee planted 70 trees in and around the complex on June 5.
“The road around our housing complex lost quite a few large trees to Cyclone Remal. We planned to replenish the loss and sent out word on social media, asking children to join with a guardian,” said Ramanuj Chatterjee, secretary of Salt Lake Renaissance.
Thus on the day, around 60 children walked from gate no. 3 in a rally and planted saplings. “We chose spots on boulevards next to trees that had fallen covering roads in front of adjoining Sourav Abasan. EE Block, FE Park and the rest were planted inside our housing estate,” said Chatterjee, a resident of Block D.
The breeds chosen were a mix of fruit-bearing trees like mango, berries and jackfruit and some flowering trees like bougainvillea and chhatim.
The children also put up a street play at the end of the rally on the need to stop the felling of trees.