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'Duare Gaach' programme brings saplings to Bengal doorsteps

Inspired by the word 'Duare' which has clicked well for Mamata Banerjee, a group of environmental activists in North Bengal has started a 'Duare Gaach' programme so that people can get free plant saplings at their doorstep.

'Duare Gaach' programme brings saplings to Bengal doorsteps
'Duare Gaach' programme brings saplings to Bengal doorsteps

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Published : Jun 14, 2021, 9:50 PM IST

Updated : Jun 15, 2021, 8:40 PM IST

Jalpaiguri: The 'Khela Hobe' slogan had hogged much limelight during the Assembly elections in West Bengal and the Trinamool Congress members including party supremo Mamata Banerjee was heard using it often to hone her diatribes against her opposition. While 'Khela Hobe' was at its peak, Mamata had announced her 'Duare Sarkar' scheme or the government at your doorstep programme, bringing in a host of government services to the localities, making them more accessible for the people. That was followed by 'Duare Ration' and then 'Duare Tran' or relief at your doorstep after the devastation of cyclone Yaas. The word 'Duare' has clicked well for Mamata Banerjee and is also inspiring others. A group of environment enthusiasts in North Bengal have started a unique scheme, 'Duare Gaach' (a plant at your doorstep).

“It is nothing new that our environment is under threat. Whatever greenery is there, much of that is in North Bengal, but even that is under constant threat. Then came cyclone Yaas and created havoc. Many trees were uprooted and the ecological balance was badly hit. We had to do something to restore things,” said Nandu Roy, secretary of the Maynaguri Environment Lovers' Association. The members of the association said they have chosen the month of June to kickstart their 'Duare Gaach' campaign as June 5 is celebrated as World Environment Day. Since then, volunteers of the association had started posting their numbers on social media platforms and began responding to requests.

'Duare Gaach' programme brings saplings to Bengal doorsteps

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“Social media platforms came in handy as people not only became aware of what we wanted to do but also could connect with us instantly. The lockdown has resulted in a total closure of nurseries and gardens where saplings are generally grown and people purchase them from there. As there was no source from where people could get plants and saplings even if they wanted to, we became the intermediaries. We are reaching out to as many requests as possible with free saplings. From saplings of bigger trees like Banyan, Neem, Gamar, Peepal and others to small shrubs and flowering plants,” said Pijush Sarkar, one of the members of the association.

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The 'Duare Gaach' programme also includes the free distribution of cane baskets to protect the saplings from grazing cattle. “Trampling also damage tender sapling. We try to save as many saplings as possible through other garden and green enthusiasts to ensure that we return some of the lost greenery to our surroundings,” added Roy. Aiming to distribute saplings to over 325 families, the 'Duare Gaach' programme could bring in some relief to the scorched North Bengal.

Read:|Children create 'micro oxygen chamber' by planting 750 sapling in Ludhiana

Last Updated : Jun 15, 2021, 8:40 PM IST

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