Villagers pay tribute to fallen trees to mark Environment Day

In an unusual gesture, villagers in Ambikapur district of Chhattisgarh held condolence meet to mourn cutting of trees in the region, marking World Environment Day today.
The meet was held yesterday on the directive of the district collector after about 200 Sal trees were cut down by some locals in Chikhlidih village of Ambikapur district.
A large number of people took part in the gathering and pledged not to cut trees and plant more saplings in the village this monsoon, Ambikapur Collector Ritu Sen told PTI.
Several such incidents were reported in the past in the region and actions were taken in all cases but despite that villagers continued to commit the offence, she added.

After noticing that barely an action was not enough to make villagers realise about the importance of trees, administration came up with an idea to promote environment conservation and make villagers aware of it, Sen said.
"After a discussion with people in the region, we decided to hold a condolence meet to pay tribute to the trees which were cut down," she added.
Admitting their mistakes, villagers also agreed to organise such gatherings after 10 days of any incident of tree cutting and observe 'dasgatra' (ritual of offering prayer by deceased's family after ten days of death) and condolence meet, she said.