Agartala, Jul 31, 2022, TRIPURATIMES Desk

As part of the observance of 73rd ‘Van Mahotsav’, Agartala Public School carried out a plantation drive along the banks of Howrah River and bridge connecting Chandrapur and Baldakhal. The School authority organized this event with the support of Tripura State Pollution Control Board.
Altogether 50 trees were planted by the TSPCB chairman Prof BK Agarwal, Tripura University’s former VC Prof Arunadoy Saha, school management committee secretary Arun Nath, teachers, students and local people with immense joy and euphoria.
Addressing the programme, Prof Agarwal said “Every year, Agartala Public School is celebrating ‘Van Mahotsav’ in and around the school’s locality. This year, many trees were planted on the banks of Howrah river. Last year, the trees which were planted had gained good heights alongside of the same river and bridge connecting Chandrapur and Baldakhal. This Abhiyan must be conducted always to preserve our environment healthy.” 
Praising the duty towards mother-nature and initiative taken by the School’s secretary Arun Nath every year, TSPCB chairman urged people to come forward and take steps to plant more and more trees. 
“From the end of TSPCB, we try to extend financial help and support to such people whosoever knock our doors for organizing tree plantation drives. We have to initiate measures together to keep our Agartala city green in the coming days and the board is always by the side of those people who are having a positive outlook towards environment”, he added.
Speaking at the programme, Prof Saha said “Like every year, this year also ‘Van Mahotsav’ is being celebrated by the Agartala Public School. Last year, we have planted trees on the banks of river Howrah acquired good stature. This year also, we have planted some trees. Forest department had extended support to the School authority for plantation.” 
He urged the school authority to develop a unique characteristic by adopting as ‘Green School’ in the coming days which will gain momentum in the future. “In the recent times, it is seen that the ecological balance of our environment is gradually diminishing as the greenery is getting vanished and taking desert-kind of look. Under such circumstances, this area where Agartala Public School is located in Baldakhal is extraordinary”, he also added.
Making an appeal to the common masses, APS management committee secretary Nath said “We make attempt to plant trees every year. The Agartala Public School alone cannot bring this change in the society. We try to gather habitants of Champamura and other areas, if everyone assemble together and plant trees, then greenery will enrich, level of oxygen will rise, etc. During COVID pandemic, we all have witnessed the costing of oxygen and demand was high. Now, if we don’t plant trees, the society will face dire consequences in the coming days. So, everyone have to come forward and plant trees.” 
“TSPCB chairman Prof Agarwal, SHEC vice-chairman and former VC Saha extend immense support and plants trees. We appeal people to come forward and plant trees. Tripura was once a state of greenery, but now, it’s not for various reasons. We all are aware about the necessity of green plants, I appeal all to come forward to plant trees”, he also added.
Nath said “Our school is upto class VIII, students who left for another school were invited to attend this ceremony. Those students attended this ‘Vana Mahotsav’ celebration event. I also appealed them to plant at least a tree in the abandoned place left near his or her house. If every student and teacher plants a tree, then Tripura will be rich.”