Bidhannagar Horticultural Society
The event was the plant distribution ceremony of Bidhannagar Horticultural Society and the venue was a plot that is soon to become their office. CF 1 used to be a littered vacant plot till the block association entrusted it with the society. “We have recently begun maintaining a lawn here and started construction of an office building. And this Forest Week event was the first occasion celebrated here,” said Arijit Poddar, secretary of the body.
With Covid on the wane, the event drew robust participation. Four plants each were gifted to 100 people. An additional 50 fruit saplings were donated by Pallishree Nursery. They gave out flowers like Roses and Hibiscus as well as fruits like Pomegranates, Mangoes and Guavas. The attempt was to distribute varieties that thrive even in potted conditions, since most Salt Lake residents grow plants on terraces.
“A first was the Hari Mohan 99 variety of apples, that grow in hot climates,” added Poddar. “This was a much coveted sapling as it is still new to Bengal. We distributed them to seasoned greenthumbs who we know will be able to look after them.”
Local councillor Sabyasachi Dutta attended the meet (picture above) and expressed satisfaction at how the society was aesthetically maintaining what used to be a garbage dump. The group gifted him saplings of Rose and Hibiscus.
Children with the saplings that they planted in CB Park, New Town. (Below) A boy captured in the planting act Sourced by The Telegraph
Bagan group
Members of a Facebook group called Bagan met up at BA-CA Park to exchange plants. While the group has members from all over the state, most of the 150-odd people who turned up were from Salt Lake and Kestopur, given the proximity of the venue from their homes.
Members Alina Mazumdar of CB Block, Sulata Biswas of BA Block and Ashim Das had drawn up lists beforehand about the plants members wanted to gift and receive and the handover was done at the venue. “I gifted Lemongrass and Buttercups and took home seeds of Morog jhuti, Dopati and Rajanigandha,” smiled Chhanda Bhattacharya of Karunamoyee. “Exchanging is a great idea as it is not always possible to buy as many plants as one wants. And in the bargain, it is the greenery that grows.”
Alina, who is also a home baker, had brought a cake (with green icing) that the plant-lovers shared after the event.
Members of the Bagan group exchange saplings Sourced by The Telegraph
CB Park, New Town
In a bid to generate awareness about greenery among youngsters, a group of New Town residents got children to plant saplings in CB Park.
About 10 kids, most of them between classes I and III, had come down. They were children of caretakers, domestic helps and labourers living around the park itself and were rather excited and curious about the event. Some had even brought posters which read “Aami gachh bhalobashi” (I love plants).
Together kids like Sathi Mal, Payal Das and Juhi Parveen planted 40 saplings of Mango, Jackfruit, Jamun, Amla, Guava and Sundari. The previous week too, they had planted 300 saplings in Smritiban. The children were accompanied by some of their school teachers too.
Giriraj Laddha, one of the volunteers, said he wanted to be involved in this project as he himself had suffered from breathing problems. “It was due to pollution. Now I want to do something to improve our air quality hence the emphasis on increasing greenery,” he said.
The event had been organised by Biswajit Majumdar, a resident of Eastern High Housing Complex. “We aim to plant 1,000 saplings this season,” Majumdar said. “The motive is to try and protect the earth and environment. We want to educate children about issues like global warming and pollution. They are the future and must have practical knowledge about what they are studying in science classes.”
Several people who found out about the initiative had been contacting Majumdar and sending him money for the noble cause. As for the upkeep of the saplings, a morning walkers association, members of the park's committee, gardeners and guards had all volunteered to chip in. Majumdar and the children said they would drop by and check on the plants too.