Tree planting program launched

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The efforts of the Child Protection Society is to create a commitment in young minds to promote environment promotion as a life commitment. The growth of a new green tree and a young child in safety and love could be seen in parallel terms.

Survival of humankind is founded on this twin process, said British High Commissioner Dr. Peter Richard Hayes at the launching of the Fruit Tree Planting Program (FTPP) ceremony held at the Child Development Centre at Rukmale recently.

Dr. Hayes was received at the entrance to the Child Development Centre by the students of the Centre and senior and junior members of the Legal Aid Commission. The FTPP with student custodians is a joint venture of Colombo West Rotary Club and Environment Desk of the Legal Aid Commission.

The Child Protection Society (CPS) and Legal Aid Commission (LAC) Chairman S. S. Wijeratne said the FTPP program commenced in 2008. Students of D. S. Senanayake College, Dudley Senanayake College, Central College, Gamini National School, Nuwara Eliya, Hadunuwewa Central College, Kotmale and Eppawela Central College have already commenced their tree planting programmes.

The tree planting program is a brainchild of CPS-LAC Chairman S. S. Wijeratne, who pointed out as a tropical Island where plants grow twice as faster than in temperate climates, we have a duty to grow green plants to help counter global warming which will affect humanity. Explaining in detail about the importance of planting a green tree Chairman Wijeratne said every tree absorbs 22 kilograms of carbon dioxide annually and Sri Lankans could donate our carbon credit to the rest of the world.

Chairman Wijeratne emphasised Sri Lanka should take urgent steps to rectify the drastic reduction of our forest cover of 80% in 1900 to 18% now by promoting cultivation of trees as a national venture. It was suggested that convicted loggers should be compelled to plant and nurse 10 new trees for each cut tree, instead of sentencing them to jail and imposing fines.

Colombo West Rotary Club President Nalin Wijekoon also addressed the ceremony.