Latest news with #GreenGuardians
Time of India
19-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
PMC invites citizens to plant, care for native trees under Green Guardians initiative
1 2 3 Pune: The civic body has launched a citizen-led initiative called Green Guardians and called upon individuals as well as housing societies to plant native trees and take full responsibility for its care under the Green Pune, Sustainable Pune campaign. Participants must fill in an online application to receive saplings from a designated list of native species — including tabubiya yellow, bakul, kadamb, peepal, chinch, arjun and mango. These must be planted in open grounds within the city limits. The initiative excludes planting in balconies, terraces or pots. Priority will be given to societies or institutions with space for at least 30 trees. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) requires participants to submit a maintenance report every six months for a period of seven years. A WhatsApp group will be created for registered societies to track progress and share updates. Volunteers are also being sought to assist with development of urban forest areas at various locations. "As per the rules, new trees of local varieties will be planted in place of trees which are an obstacle to road widening by the civic road department," said Megha Lawand, a junior engineer with the road department. "In place of trees obstructing the process of road widening, trees of local species about 6ft high will be planted along the roads and on the premises of private societies. The trees will also be geo-tagged. It is necessary to maintain the newly planted trees and submit a half-yearly report on regular upkeep for at least seven years," said Lawand. Trees planted on roadsides will be cared for by the road department. Those planted on private premises will be the responsibility of the society. Around 2,600 new trees will be planted at North Main Road in Koregaon Park where 108 trees are being removed for road works.
Business Recorder
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Marriyum inaugurates ‘CM Punjab Green Credit Programme'
LAHORE: Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb on Tuesday formally inaugurated the Chief Minister Punjab Green Credit Programme by depositing a plastic bottle in a recycling machine at a ceremony organized by the Department of the Environmental Protection. She also visited an exhibition of environmental paintings by children, interacted with them, and appreciated their creative efforts. The event concluded with Marriyum Aurangzeb distributing cash prizes among the Green Guardians for their exemplary environmental services and commending their dedication. The programme includes 31 sectors eligible for Green Credits, such as the purchase and use of energy-efficient fans, lights, e-bikes, e-rickshaws, rooftop gardening, tree plantation, cycling, and e-charging solutions. Media houses, schools, hospitals, and industrial units are also actively being included to ensure the message reaches every segment of society. The Minister emphasized that this programme belongs not just to the government but to every citizen. She stressed that real change will only come when collective thinking and behaviour shift toward environmental responsibility. While this is currently a pilot project, a dedicated budget will be allocated for its expansion in the upcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP). She appealed to the public to actively participate in this national cause and prioritize environmental conservation in their daily lives. The event was attended by representatives from various departments, environmental activists, and students from educational institutions, media personnel, and Green Guardians. In her address, Marriyum Aurangzeb shed light on the challenges posed by climate change, government policies, and the initiatives being taken for environmental sustainability. She stated that in the past, climate change was considered an unusual or irrelevant issue, but it has now become a reality directly affecting human life, agriculture, health, and the economy. She informed the audience that as soon as Chief Minister Marriyum Nawaz Sharif took oath, she initiated multi-sectoral efforts to tackle air pollution. Punjab's first climate change policy was introduced and is now being actively implemented. Changes in monsoon patterns have brought about significant shifts in the agricultural system, turning environmental challenges into everyday concerns. Aurangzeb highlighted that for the past one and a half years, the government has been enforcing a comprehensive Anti-Smog Plan across various sectors. Additionally, the first multi-sectoral Environmental Force has been established and is operational 24/7. A dedicated budget of Rs10 billion has been allocated to combat smog, while 42 advanced Air Quality Index (AQI) monitors have been installed across Punjab to continuously track air quality. Drone surveillance is also being used to detect environmental violations. In the agricultural sector, the government is promoting e-mechanization by providing super seeders to farmers at a 60 percent subsidy to discourage the burning of crop residues. Under the Green Credit Programme, citizens will receive incentive credits for engaging in eco-friendly activities, aiming to bring positive behavioural change. So far, 90 industrial units have been taken onboard and are receiving continuous guidance. She further announced that each e-bike user will earn five carbon credits along with financial support of Rs50,000 to encourage the adoption of environment-friendly transport. The Punjab government plans to distribute 150,000 e-bikes in the next phase, which will reduce pollution and help citizens save on daily commuting costs. In addition, 500 electric buses will be added to Punjab's transport system starting August 2025. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
BBC News
23-03-2025
- BBC News
Nottingham crocus is focus of conservation effort
A flower named for Nottingham is getting a helping hand to flourish after years of Nottingham crocus is believed to have been introduced to the UK by medieval monks for either culinary or medicinal flourished in the Trent Valley, and fields of the blooms in the city's Meadows area became a Victorian tourist attraction, before development destroyed many of its natural volunteers from the Green Guardians group have highlighted their work in spreading the flowers to maintain healthy populations. The lilac-coloured flowers come in two varieties - spring and autumn - with the earlier variety being an important early food source for emerging insects and Wildman, from the Green Guardians, said: "It's our county flower, so for example, Lancashire has the red rose, we have the crocus."They weren't brought here specifically but became so abundant they developed a real 'wow' factor."In Victorian times people came to view them, rather like the big fields of tulips in the Netherlands."They are culturally important - there have been paintings and poetry, they feature in World War One poetry talking about the battlefields of France." But the flower has struggled with a changing environment. Recent surveys, which record sightings in 1km (0.62 miles) squares, show that prior to 2003, the Nottingham Spring Crocus was recorded in 24 of these squares. Between 2004-2013 this had decreased to 18 and then 10 from flowers do not grow well in greenhouses so efforts to spread them must be done in the natural Guardian volunteers are clearing dead bracken to help the crocus flourish, encouraging it to spread Wildman said: "Part of the project is to identify what we call donor sites where we can take a few and not affect the population negatively."Over the past few years we have taken them from these select sites and replanted them in suitable areas."The Nottingham crocus can be seen on the University of Nottingham's Park campus, the General Cemetery, the Arboretum, Wollaton deer park and - in small patches - in its most famous home of The Meadows housing estate.
