Siliguri residents hold tree wedding for environment conservation

Residents of Siliguri District in West Bengal came together recently to'save mother nature' through a tree wedding ceremony.

The ceremony was held on Sunday.

Traditional marriage rituals were performed for intertwined trees, adorning Indian attires, a sari and a dhoti, representing man and woman.

Organizers said the symbolic tree wedding was conducted in a bid to stop deforestation.

"I have arranged the tree marriage as trees are being cut down and to take forward its progeny. With the help of my neighbours in the locality, I have got the tree married," said Juma Sengupta, organizing secretary of the event.

Meanwhile, people attending the marriage ceremony said their aim was to spread the message of afforestation.

"We want to give the message that do not cut trees, do not injure them," said Vikey Saha, a resident at the wedding.

Environmentalists say rampant deforestation gives rise to natural disasters.

Experts say more frequent and intense extreme weather events caused by global warming mean countries like India must improve their planning and reduce the potential impact of disasters before they occur.