Students, staff members and Rotaract Wing members participate in the plantation drive at DAV Dental College, Yamunanagar.
Dr I.K. Pandit Calls for Community Participation in Environmental Protection; Students, Staff and Rotaract Members Join Monsoon Plantation Campaign
YAMUNANAGAR / PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
A large-scale tree plantation campaign was organised at DAV Dental College, Yamunanagar, during the monsoon season in accordance with the directions of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, Haryana. A variety of saplings were planted across the college campus and at vacant spaces in the surrounding area as part of the environmental initiative.
The plantation drive witnessed enthusiastic participation from college staff members, students and members of the DAV Dental College Rotaract Wing. The initiative was aimed at strengthening the green cover around the institution while creating greater awareness among students and staff about their responsibility towards environmental conservation.
Speaking during the campaign, Dr I.K. Pandit, Principal Director of DAV Dental College, said environmental protection could no longer be viewed as the responsibility of government agencies alone. He emphasised that every member of society has a role to play in protecting the environment.
Dr Pandit said increasing pollution and the challenges posed by climate change have made plantation and long-term protection of trees increasingly important. He urged people to look beyond symbolic plantation activities and focus equally on ensuring that the saplings planted today survive and grow into healthy trees.
He said trees are fundamental to human life and play an important role in maintaining a cleaner and healthier environment. Apart from improving air quality, trees contribute to water conservation, temperature regulation and the maintenance of ecological balance.
The Principal Director particularly encouraged students and staff members to take responsibility for the plants they had helped establish during the campaign. He said plantation should not be treated as a one-day activity connected only with a particular campaign or season.
According to Dr Pandit, the real benefit of a plantation drive can be achieved only when the saplings are regularly watered, protected and monitored during their early stages of growth.
He said a tree planted today can become a source of cleaner air and a healthier environment for future generations. He urged students and staff to develop a long-term approach towards environmental conservation and make tree care a continuing part of their daily responsibilities.
The campaign also provided students with an opportunity to participate directly in an environmental initiative. Their involvement was intended to strengthen awareness about the relationship between healthy surroundings and public well-being.
Members of the DAV Dental College Rotaract Wing also participated actively in the plantation programme, adding a community-service dimension to the campaign.
The college management said that environmental awareness among young people is particularly important because students can carry the message of sustainability beyond the campus and encourage their families and communities to adopt greener practices.
The plantation drive was conducted during the monsoon season, when favourable weather conditions can support the establishment of newly planted saplings. The college campus and nearby vacant areas were selected for planting different species of trees and plants.
Dr Pandit appealed to all participants to work collectively towards creating a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future. He said environmental conservation requires continuous participation rather than occasional campaigns.
He also highlighted the wider benefits of maintaining green spaces around educational institutions. Trees and vegetation can contribute to healthier surroundings while also providing students with an opportunity to observe and understand the importance of ecological balance.
The enthusiastic participation of students and staff reflected the interest generated by the campaign. Participants took part in planting saplings and were encouraged to remain involved in their maintenance.
The college management reiterated its commitment to continuing environmental awareness and plantation-related activities in the future. Such initiatives, it said, would help develop a greener campus while encouraging students to become more environmentally responsible citizens.
The campaign also reinforced the message that plantation is only the first step in environmental conservation. Protecting existing trees, ensuring the survival of newly planted saplings, reducing pollution and adopting sustainable practices are equally important components of a long-term environmental strategy.
Dr Pandit called upon students, staff members and members of the wider community to contribute collectively to environmental protection. He said every surviving tree adds to the ecological security of future generations and strengthens the foundation for a healthier society.
The plantation campaign concluded with a renewed commitment from the college community to protect the environment and continue efforts towards developing a cleaner and greener campus.
