QUEENS BATON RELAY MARKS TREE PLANTATION

During the Queens Baton Relay at Ludhiana, the baton reached Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) where Dr. Manjit Singh Kang, Vice-Chancellor received it. Dr. Kang said it was a historic and prideful occasion for the University as well as the city to have this prestigious event. He conveyed his best wishes to all those participating in the relay. In addition to district administration, PAU senior officials, the sports fraternity and dignitaries from the city were present on the occasion. Many of the sports stars who had done India proud in various sports and games were all gathered in the Parkers House where the baton was received.



The organizing committee of commonwealth games-2010, Delhi has committed itself to hosting \'Green Games\' by inducing, among other activities, behavioural change towards \'low carbon practices\'. As part of the global environment facilities/UNDP small grant programme on \'low carbon campaign\' for XIXth Commonwealth Games-2010, Delhi, the Centre for Environment Education which is partnering with the organizing committee had inked an MoU with PAU for creating sensitivity toward low carbon practices, ensuring plantations in and around educational organizations, symbolic tree plantation was undertaken in the Dr. M.S.Swaminathan Heritage Park on the PAU Campus.



Saplings of traditional neem tree, harad, jamun, dheu and mehndi were planted in the Dr. Swaminathan Heritage Park by Dr. Kang, Sardar Pargat Singh, Director Sports, Punjab, Col. Ban Shtu, Director of the baton relay, Ms Alka Menon, Assistant Director of baton relay and Ms Cheitali Kapoor, Programme Manager, Center for Environmental Education, New Delhi. Present on the occasion were senior officials of PAU and members of Nature Tree Association. The park has earmarked area for the plantation of native and traditional tree species to maintain the bio-diversity which is diminishing over time. The location of the park near the Museum of Social History of Punjab will help creating awareness among visitors about the traditional tree species of Punjab.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com