20,000 trees planted in a week in Banke

By Siraj Khan Nepalgunj, June 24: Some 20,000 trees have been planted in Banke within a week under the initiative of President's Terai-Madhes Chure Conservation Board.

The plantation was started from the premises of Rara Basic School in Gavar Valley of Banke's Baijnath Rural Municipality on 10 hectares of land, said Bhes Raj Acharya, Board Member of President Chure Tarai-Madhes Conservation and Development Board.

He said that the tree planting campaign was started on the "Chure Day" by President Chure Tarai-Madhes Conservation Programme Implementation Unit and completed in a week. 

The campaign was inaugurated by Surendra Hamal, Minister for Forests and Environment, Lumbini Province.

Krishna Chaudhary, manager of Gavar Valley Homestay, said that tree planting in Gavar Valley, which is already very beautiful and picturesque, will improve the environment and also attract tourists.

He suggested that the Chure Board continue such work as tree planting is very important for the protection of the Chure region and the environment.

Hemanta Raj Kafle, chairman of the Green Engineer and Cotton Development Committee, pointed out the need for the government to launch a massive campaign to plant trees and protect them.

According to Acharya, Chure Board has given top priority to tree planting and green management in the Chure area. Accordingly, 20,000 trees have been planted in a 10-hectare area of Gavar Valley.

The Chure Board has also stated that it will contribute towards achieving the goal of maintaining a 45 per cent forest area in Nepal by 2030 and making it carbon neutral by 2045 by planting more and more trees in the Chure region.