To mark World Environment Day, Dr Inderpal Singh Sandhu, president of Sarbat Da Bhala Sanstha, in collaboration with the Integrated Research and Development Foundation (IRDF), launched a plantation drive at Kahangarh Road on Friday.
As part of the initiative, 500 saplings were planted on two kanals of land provided by Hardeep Singh Waraich in his native village near Samana, aiming to develop a mini forest and enhance local green cover.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Sandhu urged citizens across Punjab to become “environmental warriors” by planting trees and nurturing them to self-sustainability. He emphasised that trees are vital for water conservation, groundwater recharge and ecological balance, noting that every component of biodiversity is interconnected. Expressing concern over Punjab’s low forest cover, he called for urgent, large-scale afforestation efforts.
Dr Ranjodh Singh Bains, secretary of the Punjab State Farmers and Farm Workers Commission, highlighted the need for agricultural diversification to ease stress on the state’s depleting groundwater. He advocated for sustainable farming and the planting of native tree species to combat climate change.
Echoing these sentiment, Romanpreet Singh of the Roundglass Foundation underlined the urgency of expanding Punjab’s green canopy. Referencing the foundation’s “Billion Tree Programme”, he called for restoring barren lands with indigenous species to strengthen biodiversity.
Dr Sukhvinder Singh, Executive Director of IRDF, elaborated on the organisation’s commitment to environmental conservation and rural rejuvenation, adding that trees also provide crucial aesthetic and psychological benefits, acting as a source of peace and well-being.