BSF plants 4,00,000 saplings sets new record

The Border Security Force (BSF) planted 4,00,000 saplings, beating its own record of last year when it planted over 3,09,000 trees in a similar drive.

The 4,00,000 saplings were planted across border outposts and all other installations of BSF on Wednesday.

During a programme in New Delhi, Director General of BSF, Devendra Kumar Pathak, said that the force believed in protecting not just the borders but also the environment.

"Since the establishment of BSF it has been carrying out such campaigns. This is not the first time we are doing such a thing. We planted a record number of trees last year. BSF posts are normally in areas where there is minimal vegetation. So when we set up camp in an area we try to plant trees so that we can get fresh air and we can do our bit towards protection of the environment," said Pathak.

During the event, children held placards and raised slogans calling for conservation of the environment.

The drive was inaugurated with Pathak himself planting a sapling. Apart from Pathak, BSF officers, subordinate officers and soldiers also planted saplings of various kinds of trees including fruits bearing and ornamental varieties.

The annual drive, a brainchild of Pathak, seeks to mend the environmental crisis facing the society at large and encouraging the BSF personnel to do their bit in maintaining the ecological balance.