Lions Club of Patna Favourite members distribute saplings to morning-walkers at Patna zoo on Sunday. Picture by Jai Prakash

Patna, Aug. 7: Lions Club of Patna Favourite chose International Friendship Day to strengthen its bond with plants and trees.

The club organised an event at Patna zoo today where saplings of different plants and herbs were distributed to more than 200 morning-walkers.

The club members distributed saplings of kachnar, amla, neem, tulsi and others on the occasion. District governor, Lions Club International-District 322E, Madhusudan Kumar felicitated the Patna zoo director, Abhay Kumar, on behalf of the club.

Abhay Kumar said: “The event has been organised at the right time and for the right people. The morning walkers who come here are very conscious about health and environment. They often ask for the plants that we grow in the zoo and whenever we have a surplus, we sell them to these residents. Their demand shows their awareness, and distributing saplings today would ensure more afforestation. The Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park has proved to be a good medium for organising the event and such events should be planned from time to time.”

The president of the club, Sumita Sahi, said: “The club will spare no effort to ensure that all its members do their bit to promote the drive. We have distributed saplings among the morning-walkers. The aim of the drive is to ensure that residents plant saplings at home and take proper measures to protect them.”

Sahi added: “In a way, we celebrated Friendship Day too, as the members came together to keep Patna clean and green.”

The co-treasurer of the club, Karuna Lal, said: “Everyone should think green, eat green and live green to ensure a healthy environment and a healthy life. We requested the morning-walkers to treat their saplings as their children.”

Manju Singh, a board of director of the club, said: “Medicinal plants were distributed at the event. It was a good experience to gift saplings to people we did not know.”

Businessman Shivendra Narayan, who received a kaamini sapling, said: “I am happy to get this plant. Its fragrance would refresh the air and promote a healthy environment.”