ICAR-CIRCOT organized Tree Plantation Drive on World Environment Day on 5th June, 2023.

Ginning Training Centre (GTC) of ICAR-CIRCOT (Mumbai), Nagpur organised an Awareness programme under Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav public awareness campaign India @75on mission Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) and theme “Beat Plastic Pollution” and conducted Tree Plantation campaign in association with AICRP on Agroforestry, College of Agriculture, Nagpur, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmush Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola on celebration of World Environment Day on June 05, 2023 at Salaimendha village, Hingna Taluka, Dist-Nagpur.

At the outset, the panchayat president welcomed all the guests of GTC, Nagpur and College of Agriculture, Nagpur by offering flowers. Dr. Prashant Raut, Associate Professor, CoA briefed about the programme and Dr. Vinod Khadse, Extension Agronomist, explained the importance of forest cover and trees in safeguarding the environment and climate change challenges. Dr. Pandiyan, Sr. Scientist and Officer In-Charge, GTC enlightened the farmers about role of trees in combating the climate change and urged them to plant trees at each household and village premises for improved air quality and reduced pollution. Dr. Varsha Satankar, Scientist, GTC insisted them to avoid use of plastic in their day-to-day life. Dr. V.M. Ilorkar, Head, AICRP on Agroforestry sensitized the farmers about various forest trees playing vital role in environment. Also, he insisted farmers to plant trees at the boundaries of crop fields to maintain the ecosystem. The programme was concluded with vote of thanks by Dr. Prashant Raut.

During the programme, books on agricultural practices, tool kits and planting materials of various trees viz. bamboo, bael, mahua, Nagpur mandarin and acid lime were distributed among 50 farmers and around 100 saplings were planted on bunds of fields in the village Salaimendha and in the institutional premises.