Provide space to save green belt: NGO

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 16

To compensate for the loss of greenery in Amritsar as the city saw a spate of tree-cutting along roadsides to make way for the BRTS project, Eco-Amristar has invited citizens to chip in with some volunteer efforts. All one has to do is to provide them a space of 50 ft in any part of the city and Eco-Amritsar will plant a banyan tree there.

The plantation drive has been undertaken by the Eco-Amritsar volunteers as part of their pro-active pledge campaign to plant and nurture trees.

“We had requested Baba Sewa Singh Jee of Khadur Sahib to assist the holy city in its greenification effort. Accordingly, Baba Sewa Singh brought 50 mature 12-15-ft high banyan trees for plantation in Amritsar,” said Gunbir Singh, chairperson, Eco-Amritsar.

On choosing the particular tree, Singh elaborated that Banyan trees are the elephants among trees. These large trees provide huge amounts of oxygen, medicinal benefits, shade and are air purifiers. It is small wonder that these centurions are considered sacred.

The banyan is a part of the well recognised holy trinity along with peepul and neem, apart from being recognised as the national tree of India. One single tree needs a space of at least 50 ft to grow and Eco- Amritsar volunteers are now urging people to call them wherever the required space is available.

In Amritsar, plantations have been carried out recently under the Municipal Committee patronage at Chaali Khui, Gole Bagh, Ram Bagh, Anand Amrit Park, New Amritsar Park and Saragarhi Mall Mandi School Park.

Tarundeep Singh, project administrator, Eco-Amritsar, leading the plantation activity, said: “We are happy to work with the Amritsar civic administration. We have offered to populate other available protected spots in the city, including roundabouts to provide a natural look to the city. We will continue to work with the good offices of the MC and the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) for aesthetic development of the city.”

While dedicating this effort as a build-up to Earth Day, Gunbir Singh said: “Baba Sewa Singh Jee’s affirmation to the cause of environment of the holy city is indeed gratifying. He has promised all assistance in our endeavour. And we are deeply ingratiated to him for his benevolence.”

The Khadur Sahib Society has planted over 3,000 banyan trees and 3,000 peepul trees in his movement to greenify the Khadur Sahib region. Besides these trees, lakhs of trees have been planted and nurtured along the roadsides, thereby creating avenues of greenery for the future.