CM Urges Students to Participate in Large Number in Bana Mahotsav for Building Green Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged the students to participate in large number in the state-level ‘Bana Mahotsav’, a tree planting festival, for building a green and beautiful Odisha.

Addressing the students in an event at Raj Bhawan Upper Primary School here on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said, “Tree is life. If trees exist, our environment will sustain. If environment remains unhampered, we will be healthy. If we take care of trees, trees will take care of us.”
He said that the cyclonic storm Fani has caused extensive damage in the coastal area. As many as 22 lakh trees have been destroyed. Hence the State Government has launched the post-Fani coastal shelterbelt and afforestation mission in order to plant over 80 lakh saplings.

He further said that over 50 lakh saplings will be provided to various institutions and individuals in Fani affected areas free of cost.

The Forest Department will plant six crore saplings in this monsoon season. Besides, four crore tress will be provided to various institutions, organisations and individuals, he added.

The Chief Minister appealed to the public particularly children to join the plantation programme and help building a green and beautiful Odisha.