Tree Planting Campaign launched by Joint Group
View(s):A Tree-Planting Campaign for World Environment Day, organised by the Sea Scouts of Mariya Rajini KV, Katana, Katana Divisional Civil Society Organising Federation (KDCSOF), Kochchikade Police Community Service Unit and The Gampaha Forest Conservation Department (FCD), was launched recently at Mariya Rajini KV, Katana.
Concern for the Environment is still lacking among the Education authorities, as they set aside only 30 minutes for the programme, whereas 40 minutes is given for a subject period, while students were not allowed to witness how they could actively participate in such an environment-friendly programme.
Addressing the gathering Chief Guest Gampaha Provincial Councillor Lalith Wanigaratne said, “We highly appreciate this programme. Schoolchildren should be exposed to environmental activities. Environmental studies is one of their subjects. Then, why can’t they allocate school hours for such things? Who is responsible for getting low marks? Solution for getting low marks is not cutting down time for environmental activities. Extra curricular activities is a must for building a child’s personality.”
He further said, “A tree gives shade to a child to study with mental happiness. This is a good, positive step for making a green healthy environment for our younger generation.” Kochchikade Police Station Chief Inspector Chandra Padmalal said, “The most important thing I see here is 4 parties namely, the Scouts, the Police, KDCSOF and the FCD involved in this task. So we could easily work out this programme fruitfully. This is a good foundation laid for a green environment. So lets join hands in this good endeavour. We Police will observe the progress of this as our own, as it will benefit all of us.”
KDCSOF President Shanthi Madurawala said, “I am sad to see no officers from the Negombo Zonal Education Office have come to witness this important occasion. Schools with no trees are like a desert. Education Authorities should realize that the personality of a child could be built based on the environment. Some Educationists know this well. Marist Brothers knew Education is rooted in the environment. When constructing buildings for a school, they first paid attention to the environment. A living example is the huge trees still seen in the school premises at Marist Stella College Negombo. I think school authorities should be aware of this and allocate more time for environment activities. A tree is like a soul of a person. It too prays to God.”
Plants called ‘Tabubia ‘ provided by the FCD were distributed among the parents representing 7 schools, as students were not allowed to attend the occasion because schoolchildren in the NEZ reportedly got low marks at the GCE O/L Exam last year. Sudu Handun plants bought with donations made by well-wishers were distributed among the 7 schools with 5 plants each. A special feature of this was planting Sudu Handun trees in the school premises by the Chief Guest and other invitees.
The joint group hopes to form environmental-friendly groups in the Gampaha Distict and plant more trees that add beauty to schools, school playgrounds and entrances to schools. - K.L.Richard Walter Perera