The strike by employees of the North-Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation came as a blessing for a group of activists engaged in developing green belts in different parts of the city.
On Monday, they came out with garden tools and planted 100 saplings on the B.S. Yeddyurappa Marg. Another 200 saplings are expected to be planted over the next few days. Owing to the bus strike, the major roads in the city were not congested as usual. Tipping their hat to the ‘Swachha Belagavi’ campaign launched by former MLA and BJP leader Abhay Patil a few years ago, much before the launch of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan by the Narendra Modi government, the activists carried out the sapling plantation in memory of freedom fighters. Placards with names of freedom fighters were put up adjacent to the plants.
Around 60 activists of the Swachha Belagavi team participated in the plantation drive. Mr. Patil said every sapling planted would be taken care of till they grow and become self-sustainable.
Green Saviours, a voluntary organisation floated recently by a group of youngsters, has also been planting saplings since April. Under their programme, the youth are involving residents and social workers in weekly plantation programmes in various localities. Those interested to join hands with them may call 96113 13919.
