Jamshedpur, March 25: The regional office of Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) in association with the district administration has decided to launch a roadside plantation drive. The project will involve students from city schools who would be divided into “green brigades” for the large-scale tree plantation. The programme would be held for three months commencing from April.

According to the regional officer of the pollution control board Mahendra Mahato the Union environment and forest ministry has sanctioned the requisite fund for the programme. The fund has been already sent to the district authorities, he said.

Mahato said the programme would serve twin purposes. Firstly it would help in beautifying the city and improve ecological conditions. Secondly it would make the schoolchildren aware about environment conservation.

“We have already identified the areas where the plantation drive would be implemented. The regions include Mango, Jugsalai, Kadma, Govindpur, Bagbera, Burmamines and some parts of Sonari and Baridih,” he said.

Mahato said representatives of the board have started visiting schools to select students for the “green brigades''. “The schools are responding to the project and are permitting the students to participate in the programme,” he said adding that the plantation drive would be undertaken after school hours so that no classes are wasted. The regional board officials have approached the forest department for supplying the saplings for the plantation drive. Plants like eucalyptus, neem, tamarind and sheesham would be planted during the programme. Ten students from each school would be selected for the “green brigades''. Around 20 groups would be formed. Each unit would comprise 25 students. The pollution control board would distribute certificates to children participating in the drive.

Officials said felling of trees to clear land for the construction of housing complexes and industries in and around the city has posed a threat to the ecological balance and plantation is an effective means to restore it. The “green brigades” besides participating in the plantation drive would also distribute leaflets highlighting various pollution control measures. Depending on the success of the project, the pollution control board would initiate similar drives in two other districts.