Latest news with #EnvironmentDay
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Aadi Pattam: a spotlight on volunteers from Chennai who green neighbourhoods
The pandemic had two contrasting effects on newly sprouted initiatives. Some went into a tailspin and never recovered from it. And there were others that got their tail up, the pandemic years, strangely, providing them with a conducive environment for growth. Deepa Lakshmi and her husband K. Mohanasundaram had barely started a hyperlocal greening exercise around their moorings in Mogappair East when the pandemic struck. Now, Deepa Lakshmi is an English teacher at Chennai Higher Secondary School on Subbrayan Street in Shenoy Nagar, and in addition to her teaching role, serves as in-charge headmistress of the school. While latching the doors of the school (and taking the classes online), the pandemic threw wide open the door to environment action. Deepa Lakshmi seized that opportunity. 'It all started during COVID. There was so much free time,' recalls Deepa Lakshmi, co-founder of a voluntering force called Team Green. 'We used to water the few plants we had, and then one day, we just planted some saplings. Neighbours noticed, and slowly people started joining us.' The streets in the neighbourhood saw more green; and then the streets beyond the neighbourhood did. What began as a simple act became a habit not just for this duo and their neighbours in Mogappair East, but also for many eco-conscious people elsewhere in Chennai. Team Green — as this group of sapling-toting volunteers are called — has expanded to Perungudi, Keelkattalai, Madipakkam, Gated Communities in OMR, Perumbakkam, Tiruvottiyur and Thirumullaivoyal. Team Green provides saplings of native trees for free to residents and individuals upon request — a huge volume of such requests being honoured on special days such as Environment Day — but not before extracting a promise from them. The recipient has to take a vow to never abandon the saplings. They would be put through a wringer of questions, much like someone adopting a puppy would be before taking the bundle of fur home. A quick run-through of the posers high up on the questionnaire: who will be responsible for the care of the saplings? Has proper soil preparation been done? The interviewee will find themselves being edified about plant care. Team Green does not leave anything to chance. A volunteer would one day invite themselves to the recipient's stomping ground to see how the saplings are coming along. This stringent process weeds out dilettantes, and brings on board only those extremely keen on greening their neighbourhoods and personal spaces. Residents interested in greening their patches constitute much of the demand. Colleges (through their outreach wings such as NSS units) also seek saplings for their environmental initiatives. Team Green provides saplings for free, except when they do not have the saplings of a specific tree species that has been sought. In such an event, they help procure it from a nursery, with the cost being borne by the one making the request. Vidiyal: an offshoot Deepa Lakshmi is part of a force driving an initiative called Vidiyal, which splices women's empowerment with environment action. Vidiyal is designed in a manner that gets groups of three to four women from an underprivileged background to gather every day at a designated school to nurture saplings. They are provided with soil, seeds and used milk packets, these materials having been collected and supplied by Team Green volunteers. The women work from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., nurturing saplings and starting new ones with the soil and seeds. In case you are wondering what the milk packets are for: they serve as coverings for the saplings. Currently, around 15 to 20 women are engaged in this work on a full-time basis. The project operates on a community-supported model where volunteers contribute financially to pay the women for their efforts. For instance, a donation of ₹900 is enough to pay three women ₹300 each for a day's work. Those who wish to support just one person can contribute ₹300. Deepa mentions that they never have to actively seek sponsors, as there is always a steady flow of generous volunteers who come forward to pitch in and help sustain the project. Deepa notes that Team Green is not an NGO, only a scattered but tightly-knit group of individual volunteers. The volunteering group functions on its own except for collaborations with Exnora from time to time. Deepa finds the most supportive volunteer in her hearth: her husband Mohanasundaram who has handed over the reins of his earthmoving business to his team, distancing himself from its day-to-day activities and thereby freeing up time for Team Green's activities. For details about Team Green and its activities, call 9042594891 / 6379072259
Time of India
03-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Ex-min announces grant for construction of Scouts and Guides dist training hall
Madikeri: Former minister and state chief commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides, PGR Sindhia, announced a Rs 2 crore grant for the construction of the district training hall during a consultation meeting at the Bharat Scouts and Guides Ponnamma Kushalappa Bhavan auditorium on Thursday. He highlighted govt's support for Scouts and Guides development and advised utilising it effectively. The grant will extend to local organisations, requiring detailed expenditure records, Sindhia added. The Bharat Scouts and Guides, established in Kodagu district in 1918, continues to thrive with widespread support. Sindhia acknowledged the district administration's cooperation, including their no-objection letter for the Scouts and Guides Bhavan construction. The organisation, synonymous with social service, has garnered recognition through participation in national festivals, Nada Habba, Environment Day, Yoga Day, Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, summer camps, and children's fairs. With over 8 lakh students participating statewide, Sindhia encouraged expanding units and sought teacher cooperation. District chief commissioner KT Baby Mathew confirmed the Rs 2 crore grant allocation and mentioned plans for tribal children's education and health awareness programmes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Joint commissioner Basavaraj emphasised expanding Scouts and Guides activities to every household, encouraging enthusiastic participation and establishing new units. He noted the social development opportunities through involvement in these activities. State organiser Prabhakar Bhat called for strengthening the organisation and promoting eco-friendly festivals. He highlighted the state's national leadership in environmental initiatives like eco-friendly Diwali, Vanamahotsava, and rain harvesting. TG Prem Kumar described Bharat Scouts and Guides as an educational movement fostering national unity and harmony across castes and religions.
New Indian Express
29-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
1 lakh neem trees in district: Ernakulam's two-year greening mission reaches milestone
KOCHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday planted the 1,00,000th neem (aryaveppu) sapling on the campus of Rajagiri High School, Kalamassery, marking the culmination of a massive two-year-long tree-planting drive across Ernakulam district. The environmental campaign was launched on June 5, 2023 — World Environment Day — when Industries Minister P Rajeeve planted the first sapling, with the mission to plant 1 lakh neem saplings across the district. Spearheaded by Sriman Narayanan's 'Ente Gramam Gandhi Jeevitham Mission', based in Muppathadam, the initiative has now reached its green milestone. The final phase of the campaign saw the planting of the remaining 12,000 saplings in the past few weeks in various parts of the district, ensuring the target was met before the next Environment Day cycle. 'Ernakulam is one of the districts worst hit by air, water, and soil pollution. Neem, with its remarkable purifying and medicinal qualities, is an ideal choice to fight this environmental degradation,' said Sriman Narayanan, who leads the mission. Known for its immunity-boosting and pest-repelling properties, neem tree is also believed to have benefits in post-Covid health management. The organisers focused on densely populated urban colonies, where both human and ecological health need urgent attention. The saplings were sourced from nurseries in Tamil Nadu.
India Gazette
23-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Himachal CM Sukhu unveils Forest Department's green activity calendar
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 23 (ANI): Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released an activity calendar for the Forest Department on Monday, showcasing the wide range of environmental programmes conducted across Himachal Pradesh on the occasion of International Environment Day. According to a release, the Forest Department conducted a series of programmes focused on environment protection and its various aspects in educational institutions across the State. The Forest Department celebrated the Environment Day on the themes of 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Nam' and 'Beat the Plastics' in about 1000 educational institutions across the State and witnessed the participation of more than 50,000 students. The department also carried out cleanliness drives around various offices, involving newly recruited Van Mitras, common people and students. The Chief Minister congratulated the department for successfully executing these initiatives and expressed confidence that the department would continue to work for a clean and sustainable environment. He directed the officers to inform the public about the various departmental schemes and ensure public participation in implementing these policies and programmes. Present on the occasion were Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HOFF) Sameer Rastogi and other senior officials of the department. Meanwhile,on Sunday, CM Sukhu said that the state government has launched a vigorous campaign against drug abuse, which is receiving encouraging support from the youth. He added that the government will strengthen this drive and take strict action against drug mafias. He further said that the state government has taken several steps to keep youth away from drugs and promote sports during its tenure. He also felicitated the former Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh Memorial Pro-Boxing International Championship winners, held at the historic Ridge. Indian boxer Yashpal emerged as the champion and made the country proud with his performance. The championship was inaugurated by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and featured five professional boxers each from India and Russia. MLAs Harish Janartha and Sanjay Awasthi, Mayor Surinder Chauhan, Vice Chairman HIMUDA Yashwant Chhajta, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal and other dignitaries were present. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
23-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Himachal CM lauds forest department for green initiatives across educational institutions
Jun 23, 2025 06:29 PM IST Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released an activity calendar of the forest department highlighting the initiatives undertaken by the department on June 5, on the occasion of International Environment Day across the state on Monday. Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (File) The forest department conducted a series of programmes focused on environment protection and its various aspects in the educational institutions across the state. The forest department celebrated the Environment Day on the themes of 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Nam' and 'Beat the Plastics' in about 1,000 educational institutions across the state and witnessed the participation of more than 50,000 students. The department also carried out cleanliness drives around various offices, involving newly recruited Van Mitras, common people and students. The CM congratulated the department for successfully executing these initiatives and expressed confidence that the department would continue to work for clean and sustainable environment. He directed the officers to aware the public about the various departmental schemes and ensure public participation in implementing these policies and programmes on the ground.
