Plantation drive for green Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018

Bhubaneswar: The State Youth Welfare Board on Friday organised a plantation drive involving Biju Yuva Vahini volunteers for a green and clean Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018.

The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the iconic Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. The Chief Minister planted the first sapling and sent out a symbolic message across the state, in support of the drive.

The plantation drive would further involve more than 2.5 lakh Biju Yuva Vahini volunteers across the 30 districts of Odisha. The drive is going to continue for the ongoing monsoon season.

The greening programme envisions to create “unity in biological diversity” and to project Odisha as a truly environmentally sensitive Odisha that is proactively carrying out sustainable development and biodiversity enhancement.

Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018 is the central theme for the upcoming plantation drive. BYV members have come forward along with the Department of Sports & Youth Services to celebrate the Hockey Men’s World Cup and promote the idea of creating a ‘Green Hockey World Cup’.

Under the Biju Yuva Vahini Plantation Drive, around 30 lakhs trees would be planted with an objective to offset the carbon footprint are likely to be generated during the Hockey World Cup at Bhubaneswar.

This activity will see the citizens of Odisha joining hands with the BYV members in striving for a Green Odisha.

The campaign will also sensitise the general public to prevent the depletion of forests and to protect and expand the existing ones for future generations.

Naveen Patnaik said, “I am very happy and satisfied with the way Biju Yuva Vahini volunteers have worked tirelessly at Jagannath Rath Yatra and helped clean the Puri beach. This plantation drives will make our state even greener. I request you all to create awareness regarding various campaigns of government pertaining to pollution and regarding non-usage of plastic items. I repose my full faith and confidence it the Biju Yuva Vahini.”

Sports and Youth Services secretary Vishal Dev said, “It’s an absolute delight to see how everyone in the state has come together to promote more greenery and cleanliness. Odisha is one of the greenest states in the country but is also prone to natural disasters which is why we have to take care of our flora and fauna every day and this kind of volunteers will further strengthen our efforts in that direction.”

“The teams and fans coming over from different parts of the world to be part of Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 will surely be in awe of our city,” he added.