Rally to mark International Forest Day

Bhopal, Mar 21: A grand rally was taken out to mark International Forestry Day here on Friday. The rally originated from in front of Chief Minister's residence. Earlier, State Election Commissioner AV Singh, who was the chief guest, administered the oath to participating students of schools, colleges and other participants to strive for protection and augmentation of forests and wildlife.

Later, the chief guest flagged the rally off after releasing green and white balloons in the air. Those present on the occasion included Principal Secretary Forest Prashant Mehta, Managing Director, MP State Small Forest Produce Cooperative Federation, RK Dave, Conservator of Forests Dr AK Bhattacharya, Divisional Forest Officer Ravindra Saxena, other senior officers and employees of Forest Department, distinguished citizens and teachers and students of schools and colleges. On this occasion, Forest Minister Vijay Shah's Forestry Day message was read out. The message said that conservation and augmentation of forests is the only alternative for maintaining ecological balance. In his message Shah said hoped that International Forestry Day would go a long way in creating awareness among the masses.

The rally started at 8 am from in front of Chief Minister's residence and after vending its way through Polytechnic College, Roshanpura crossing, New Market, Link Road No. 1 culminated at Indira Gandhi Nursery. The students were carrying placards on which slogans about forest conservation were written in various languages of India. The rallyists were also raising slogans in favour of protection of forests and wildlife.

The rally was jointly organised by Forest Department, Canara Bank, Junoon Sports, Art of Living, Bhopal Birds, Anglers Association and National Green Corps. Students belonging to MLB College, Benazir College, Kasturba High School, Kamla Nehru High School, Vidya Vihar School, Deep Shikha School, New Subhash Higher Secondary School, Chandrashekhar School, Sardar Patel School, Old Campion School, Sagar Institute, cadets of Scouts and Guides, NSS, members of Junoon Adventure Sports, Art of Living, Bhopal Birds, Anglers Association, National Green Corps and employees of Canara bank took part in one kilometre long rally and gave the message of forest conservation to people.