Plant 10-15 trees to create oxygen banks: Javadekar

Every person must plant at least 10 to 15 trees during one’s lifetime and care for the trees, so that they can create an ‘oxygen bank’, said minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar.

Addressing students at the Asola Bhatti Wildlife sanctuary in New Delhi on the occasion of the International Day of Forests on Monday, the minister further said that just as money is deposited in banks, each person must plant one tree after every five years to create a fixed deposit of ‘oxygen bank’.

Seeking peoples’ cooperation to bring improvement in the quality of forests and to enhance scientific management of forests, the minster added, “One change that has been brought about in plantation of trees in nurseries is that plants that attain a height of up to six feet are planted to ensure a high survival rate. The students are the agents of change, as it is the students who can nurture and enhance the sensitivity towards environment.” 

This year’s theme of International Day of Forests is ‘Forest and Water’ to raise awareness about how forests are the key of the planet’s supply of freshwater.