Nagpur: The government wants all schools affiliated to state education board to plant at least 20-30 saplings on their premises on July 1, as part of the Van Mahotsav While many schools have welcomed the move, some are apprehensive about the space constraints.
Sanjay Tayde-Patil, founder-president of Maharashtra English School Trustees Association (MESTA) said, “Government has passed many resolutions in two years but very few have been implemented. These GR’s are passed and simply kept in a corner to rot. I think the officers do not study things properly as now schools have been ordered to plant 20 to 30 trees on the campus without considering whether they have enough space or not.”
Avantika Lekurwale, a school trustee, said, “Ten years ago, schools were established keeping in mind that they should be within the reach of students, within the city, in limited space. For such schools, government should remove the condition of planting trees within the premises. The only drawback of the resolution is availability of space, otherwise from the environment point of view, it is a very healthy and green initiative.”
Rajendra Dayma, founder executive member of Independent English Schools Association, said, “It is a good cause started by the government, much needed in Marathwada and Vidarbha region. If schools have no place on their campus for such plantation, government should allow them to choose a different spacious place because what matters is the plantation of the trees and not the place,” The Times of India reported.
Anurag Pande, principal of Suyash Convent, said already school campuses have utilized available space for planting trees. “Our campus is already full of grown trees and we do not have place for planting more. Also, instead of sticking to the norm of planting within the premises, the resolution should stress on taking care of the planted saplings.”
Rajendra Mishra, principal of Central India Public School (Kapsi), said, “It is a noble cause and our school has been planting saplings in and around the school since last 8-10 years. We will support this cause by planting saplings this year as we have enough space on our premises. But the schools that lack space should be excused in terms of place.”