Tree ATM flagged off, aim to plant 11 lakh saplings

Ludhiana, July 5

Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney launched the tree ATM as part of the ‘Wake up Ludhiana’ mission today.

The programme is in collaboration with NGO Cityneeds and supported by NGO Act Humane, Small Idea Great Idea, Marshal Aid and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The tree ATM will distribute 35,000 free saplings to people.

The DC said the district administration has already started a mass tree plantation drive and aim to plant 11 lakh saplings in Ludhiana. They have already planted one lakh saplings since the onset of rainy season.

She said a mass plantation drive has also been planned by the district administration on July 12 and 14. She added that their main aim would be to increase the green cover in the deficient areas.

Accompanied by MC Assistant Commissioner Jasdev Singh Sekhon, the DC stressed the importance of every citizen’s contribution to the wellbeing of the environment, making this plantation campaign a people’s movement.

She also urged people to prioritise environmental conservation by planting a sapling near their houses, which will be provided to them free of cost.

Sekhon said their target is to plant 35,000 trees, significantly enhancing Ludhiana’s green cover with an aim of survival rate of 80 per cent of the planted saplings.

Maneet Dewan, director, Cityneeds, anyone can give a missed call at 7877778803 and saplings would be delivered to their doorsteps free of cost. In addition to distributing saplings, the team will also educate people about proper care of trees and offer support for plantation activities. Those ordering the plants will also sign an undertaking to take care of the plants.

He said Marshal Aid volunteer teams will visit the locations, prepare the area by drilling the hole for plantation and thereafter trees will be planted by them. All the locations where trees are planted will be stored in a mobile app, which will further store the geo-tagged location to be tracked by the NGO periodically.

The administration had also launched a photography competition ‘Capture Ludhiana: Moments of Green’ on June 15 to raise awareness about environmental conservation among citizens, especially the youth. Participants can send in their entries for the photography competition event through email to wakeupludhiana365@gmail.com with the subject line “Wake up Ludhiana photography competition”. The deadline for submitting entries is July 15. Certificates and cash prizes will be awarded to the top three winners by the DC. The entries of the winners will be featured on the official initiative website and in public exhibitions.

A ‘green hackathon’ was also started on June 12, in which people have to identify environmental issues in their localities and propose effective measures to address them. If their suggestions are deemed result-oriented, the administration will honour and implement these. Participants can register through wakeupludhiana365@gmail.com, and the last date for registration is July 15.