By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Rotary Club of Bhubaneswar Eco recently launched a Mega Plantation Drive. Founded this year, The Club has the unique record of becoming the only cause based club of rotary District 3262, comprising of Twenty Five revenue district of Odisha. The Plantation programme was undertaken by the Club members in the premises of Waldenwoods Eco Village (WEV) situated at the foothills of Kapilash in Dhenkanal district, sixty km away from Bhubaneswar. The members were driven in a special Bus from Bhubaneswar to the plantation venue. The 300 acres long lush green picturesque patch here is now being developed and nourished by WEV as the Eastern India’s most sought after Ecological Wonder Station. Endowed with GOD gifted advantage of having overshadowing Kapilash range of hills, long imposing lines of Sal trees, nature fresh breeze, natural spring, flora, fauna and rustic surroundings, WEV is all set to become a precious piece of Heaven’s paradise on earth.
The rotary delegates were accorded a warm welcome by the tribal ladies with their traditional dance and music. The entire village wore a festive and colourful look befitting to the occasion. The Plantation session was skillfully managed and successfully implemented by the members of Rotary Club Eco and authorities of WEV with the stewardship of young and energetic President of the Club and Founder of WEV noted environmentalist Ram Krishna Dash. Thirty Two variety of saplings aged between 3 to 4 years brought from Kadiam Nursery complex in Rajahmundry of Andhra Pradesh were planted by the distinguished dignitaries present there.
They include Chief Guest renowned Neurologist Professor Dr. Bhabani Shankar Das, President of the Club Ram Krishna Dash, Vice President of the Club Rtn Sunanda Kumar Mitra, Director, Environment Rtn Pramod Kumar Panda, Director, Membership Rtn Tusharkanti Sahu, Chairman, Plantation Committee Rtn Rajesh Agarwal, Rtn Mihir kumar Sahu, Rtn Dhaneswar Sahoo and Rtn Monali Dongre. Delivering his speech during the Ceremony, the Chief Guest Dr. Bhabani Shankar Das, underlined the diring need of protection of environment and plantation of trees during the current pandemic period. Addressing the gathering as Guest of Honour the veteran soil conservator Krushna Chandra Aich pleaded for maintaining ecological balance for the sake of future generations. Fame Forest Guard Rashmi ranjan Dash was felicitated by the Chief Guest for his outstanding contribution towards protection and preservation of forest resources.
In his thanks giving speech Shri Dash narrated his experiences of encountering and nabbing several miscreants in his territory, while implementing different government schemes and enforcing forest laws strictly. Shri Dash emphasized the need of organising village level awareness camps by Rotary to sensitise people against the erosion of forests. The meeting was presided over by Club’s President Rtn Ram Krishna Dash. Rtn Pramod Kumar Panda proposed vote of thanks. The Plantation programme was smoothly conducted with the active assistance of the General Manager of WEV Basant kumar Khuntia, site in charge Khadala Pradhan, Manager of Centre of Excellence Archana Swain and Project Director Jaggi Das.
