हिंदी
Bringing Nature to Your Doorstep with Dial-a-Tree: A Unique Initiative for a Greener Fazilka
Fazilka, 28 July 2024
Anand Utsav, the first-of-its-kind festival dedicated to the environment, was initiated by the Graduates Welfare Association Fazilka (GWAF). This year, we have set an ambitious target of planting 10,000 saplings through the “Dial-a-Tree” scheme. In addition, the district administration aims to plant 12 lakh tree saplings, including establishing mini-forests in both urban and rural areas with the help of MNREGA. The district administration, in collaboration with civil society, is putting forth its best efforts for massive plantation and its protection.
Fazilka district faces significant ecological challenges, with only one tree per 35 individuals and just two trees per acre. The total forest area in Fazilka is a mere 0.42 square kilometers, only 1.42% of its total land, contrasting sharply with Rajasthan’s Ganganagar district’s 8%. The region receives minimal annual rainfall, approximately 30 mm, compared to Ganganagar’s 293 mm and Jaisalmer’s 293.5 mm. Despite efforts by the Forest and Wildlife Department over the past decade, these challenges persist.
Anand Utsav was initiated to address these issues through sustainable tree planting. Since 2009, over 53,000 saplings have been planted and distributed in Fazilka and its surrounding areas. In collaboration with the Forest Department, Municipal Council Fazilka, and District Administration Fazilka, the Utsav has consistently planted 3,000 to 4,000 saplings annually. The “Dial-a-Tree” project, launched in 2010, allows residents to order saplings by phone, delivered and planted for free using “Green Ambulances/Oxygen Vans.”
Paramjeet Warar, a philanthropist and resident, along with all NGO’s/residents has pledged to protect these plants after the monsoon season under “Green Fazilka” programme. Through public participation, each of these plants will be protected and watered for the next three months.
Municipal Council Fazilka will also plant 800 entire plants with concrete tree guards on 10 commercial corridors of the city, in consent with the shopkeepers. These locations, where hard surfaces restrict plantation, will have specially made pits to support tree growth. This initiative is expected to significantly enhance the urban green cover.
The Community Police Wing of Punjab Police is also taking strides by setting up an Oxygen Stall outside the SSP Fazilka Office, where each visitor will be provided with a tree sapling. “We are making our humble contribution towards the protection of the environment with the help of the community,” said Dr. Pragya Jain, SSP Fazilka. All police stations, police lines, and other premises lined with police are having a complete plantation drive this year.
Advocate Umesh Kukkar, President GWAF, remarked, “Tree plantation has become a culture in our town, and this monsoon season, the massive plantation efforts are heartwarming.”Dr. Navdeep Asija, Secretary GWAF, added, “Our green cover is improving, and we are reclaiming our Badha Lake. This is our biggest achievement, with significant support from civil administration and MLA Shri Narinder Sawna Ji.”
Anand Jain, Head of Anand Utsav, emphasized, “Our phone lines are open from 9 AM to 6 PM. Call us at 9115-543210, and within 24 hours, a sapling will be delivered and planted at your doorstep. Fazilka’s very own Swiggy/Zomato, but with a twist—we deliver oxygen through trees. This is all for your love for the environment and Fazilka.”
Furthermore, oxygen stalls will be set up at various locations in Fazilka, including outside private hospitals, where doctors are prescribing tree plantation alongside medicine. This initiative aims to raise community awareness and foster a love for the environment.
Dr. Senu Duggal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner Fazilka, highlighted the community’s exemplary mobilization and praised GWAF for making environmental protection and tree plantation a city-wide culture. “We are providing tree saplings to everyone free of cost through the nurseries of the Forest and Wildlife Department, Punjab,” she said.
The community’s enthusiasm is evident, with donations for water tankers and tree guards, and NGOs offering awards for the best plantation efforts. Fazilka’s journey towards a greener future is well underway, thanks to the collective efforts of its residents
