Medicinal and Utility Saplings Including Amla, Teak and Sissoo Planted on Press Club Premises

Khordha District Press Club Organises Tree Plantation Drive

KHORDHA, SEPTEMBER 8: Emphasising the need for environmental protection and expansion of green cover, the Khordha District Press Club organised a tree plantation programme on its premises here on Tuesday, sending out a message that journalists and media organisations have an important role to play not only in highlighting social and civic issues but also in promoting environmental responsibility.

The plantation drive was held under the leadership of Press Club president Tapan Kumar Nayak. Members of the club participated in the programme and planted several varieties of medicinal and useful trees, including amla, teak and sissoo, on the club premises.
Speaking on the occasion, the members stressed that environmental protection should not remain confined to discussions and awareness campaigns, but should also be reflected through concrete action. They said journalists, while performing their professional responsibility of bringing issues of public concern to the notice of the authorities and society, could also contribute directly to community welfare through such initiatives.

Club vice-president Prasanna Kumar Paikaray, secretary Prakash Kumar Hati, adviser Dillip Kumar Pattnaik, treasurer Gopal Krishna Das and Prabin Bhanja were among those who participated in the plantation programme along with other members of the club.
The participants highlighted the growing challenges posed by environmental pollution, shrinking forest cover, rising temperatures and climate change. They underlined the importance of increasing tree cover as well as ensuring the survival and healthy growth of the saplings planted.
The club members maintained that merely planting saplings would not be sufficient unless they were properly protected and nurtured. Regular watering, care and protection of the plants were emphasised as essential components of any meaningful plantation initiative. They said the real objective of environmental protection would be achieved only when the saplings survived and grew into mature trees.
Mr.Nayak said the responsibility of journalists was not limited to reporting and publishing news. According to him, the media also has an important role in creating awareness among people about social and environmental concerns and encouraging citizens to participate in constructive activities for the larger public good.
“Trees are fundamental to human life and protecting them for future generations is a collective responsibility,” he said, adding that the Press Club would continue to undertake various public-oriented and service activities in the days ahead.
The plantation programme also reflected the Press Club’s continuing efforts to associate itself with social welfare initiatives. In the past, the organisation has conducted blood donation camps, road safety awareness programmes and installed water kiosks during summer. It has also distributed fruits and dry food among patients and attendants at the district headquarters hospital and undertaken service activities at old-age homes and orphanages.
The members said tree plantation would henceforth be viewed as an important component of such community-oriented activities. They expressed hope that the initiative would encourage other social organisations, institutions and citizens to take up similar programmes and, more importantly, ensure the protection and maintenance of the trees planted.
The initiative was welcomed by various sections of society, with the Press Club members stressing that collective and sustained efforts were necessary to address the environmental challenges facing the region. The programme concluded with a renewed commitment by the members to combine their professional responsibilities with meaningful social and environmental initiatives.

Report ‘- Dillip Kumar Pattnaik