If we are serious about conservation and protection of environment we need to plant more trees. The National Forest Policy aims and emphasizes at maintaining 33% of the country’s geographical area under forest and green cover.

The Maharashtra Forest Department aims to plant 4 crore saplings all over the State between 1st to July 7th, 2017 to celebrate ‘Vanmohotsav’. In this regard, Caritas India, Center for Environmental Studies in Social Sector (CESSS) organized one day program for awareness and sensitization of community on 4 core plantation mission of State Government at CESSS and Malkapur village.

CESSS has been working for conservation and protection of environment by the Sustainable Agricultural practices and Natural Resource Management by the community led approach, as well as introduced existing various Natural resource management programs with support of community and government department for conservation Water, Soil, forest etc. to improve human life.

Since last two years, State Government introduced new initiatives for increasing green coverage of Maharashtra and conservation of environment. Every year from 1^st to 7^th July state government organize Plantation Week with support of all departments, civil societies, NGOs and community for the mass plantation program.

Since last 7 years Caritas India, CESSS has been regularly organizing plantation program at CESSS. Last year, Caritas India received the prestigious Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vanshree Award for plantation for promoting the Green Mission.

On this plantation mission, CESSS has taken initiatives and organized awareness rally from CESSS to Malkapur village with participation of School children’s, SHG members, Farmers field school members of CESSS, farmer groups, youth groups, religious, Govt. Officials, CESSS staff and villagers to attend the program and plant saplings in their house premises, schools, roads, CESSS campus and taken responsibility for protection of plants.

Chief guest Fr. Vipin in his speech focussed on increased involvement in protection and conservation of environment by the community leadership. In the plantation program CESSS has mobilized 400 saplings and planted in CESSS campus, CESSS land, School premises and around the Malkapur village. CESSS has given responsibility to each Farmer Field School members, School children and teachers to conserve plants for their better future.