Dhangadhi Launches Fruit Tree Planting Campaign in Public Schools

Dhangadhi – In a bid to enhance environmental conservation and provide nutritious food for students, Dhangadhi sub-metropolitan municipality has initiated a campaign to plant fruit trees in public schools.

This year, under the 'School Fruit Protection Promotion Program,' saplings are being planted in 51 public schools across the sub-metropolitan city. The campaign commenced on Tuesday, with Mayor Gopal Hamal announcing that 1,525 saplings were planted in 16 community schools on the first day.

Keshav Khatri, Technical Assistant of the Education Division, has been tasked with overseeing the planting process. The initiative focuses on 51 of the 68 public schools in Dhangadhi that have secure boundaries. The distributed saplings include mango and lychee plants, chosen for their suitability to the local climate and the benefits they offer.

Mayor Hamal highlighted the dual purpose of the initiative: environmental protection and providing children with fresh fruits. “The planting of fruit trees has been started so that the environment can be protected and the children can eat the fruits and enjoy climbing the trees,” he stated.

The project also aims to instill a sense of responsibility and conservation among students, who will be in charge of nurturing the plants. To ensure the plants' growth and protection, students from the E-Co Club will be assigned the responsibility of watering and caring for the saplings.

Harish Kumar Ojha, principal of Panchodaya Madhyamik School, mentioned that this approach would help in plant conservation and foster a sense of stewardship among the students. In addition to environmental and educational benefits, the program also aims to boost school incomes.

ayor Hamal explained that once the trees start bearing fruit, the produce could be contracted out, providing a revenue stream for the schools. Bhojraj Sharma, Principal of Behdababa Secondary School, noted that 65 mango and 15 lychee plants have been planted in his school, and arrangements will be made for the children to have the fruits as a mid-day snack once they ripen.

Mayor Hamal emphasized the importance of not only planting saplings but also ensuring their protection. He called on the community to safeguard the plants in schools and other public areas to ensure the long-term success of the initiative.