IAF and Forest Ministry launches Green Chiloda

Ahmedabad, Sep 2 (UNI) Gujarat Forest and Environment Minister Mangubhai Patel today planted the first sapling along with the Air Officer Commanding in Chief, HQ SWAC, IAF, Air Marshal KD Singh at the new land at Chiloda on the outskirts of Gandhinagar.

Mission ''Green Chiloda'', a joint initiative by HQ South Western Command, IAF and the Ministry of Forest and Environment, was launched today at Chiloda, where the Headquarters of South Western Air Command, IAF are being constructed.

Air Marshal K D Singh said ''With the assistance of the Government we want to create a Garden of Eden here. The plan is to gradually colour the camp as per various schemes, simultaneously alongwith the construction work.'' Anil Johri, Conservator of Forest, said Plants and trained manpower would be provided free of cost by the Government for this drive. In the first year, the trees would be planted along the boundary wall and along the roads. The plantation of trees along the boundary wall is planned in four rows of ornamental and shady trees having medicinal value.

On the occasion, the AFWWA also launched ''Friends of the Environment'' club, which was open to the children and young Air Warriors with an aim to sensitising residents of Chiloda towards eco-system around them and to ensure that air, water and general environment were maintained clean and pure.

No plastic zones, correct disposal of garbage, maintainance of lawns, hedges and parks were a few key areas of attention of this club.

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