Forests holds a very prominent place in Indian culture and trees are symbol of eternal truth that mankind have always been giving reverence. In fact, trees are our brethren which endure all grief, keep life long company with us selflessly in our pleasure and pain. To protect these speechless innocent brethren is our ultimate duty. In the Holy Veda it has been rightly said that “Preserved trees preserve us “. So with the basic philosophy “Trees are our brother” Suniti Yadav has started tree protection festival in tribal district during 1992. Since then this unique festival is celebrated in many states like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan etc.

To show our commitment for environment and to express our solidarity with trees the is again organizing Tree Protection Festival from 1st to 15th August 2009 all over the country. In Chhattisgarh on the eve of Raksha Bandhan members of joint forest management committees and specially women & children tied sacred threads Rakhi to trees and took oath to protect them like their own brothers. More than one lakh saplings are also distributed as Prasad from religious places.

Suniti Yadav says that she has been inspired by Late Mrs. Indira Gandhi’s message “The interest in conservation is not a sentimental one but the rediscovery of a truth well known to our ancient sages. Modern man must reestablish an unbroken link with nature and with life because survival of man depends upon survival of plants & animals”. It has been recognized as a New wave of the world fame Chipko Movement because what it is trying to conserve is not merely few trees here and there but the entire life support system and with it, the option for human survival . It also reminds us “ Every citizen is a born forester and forest protection is our joint venture. And Forestry is not simply a question of trees, it is above all a question of mankind”.

—
Krishna Chandra Yadav IFS
Chief Conservator of Forests
Govt. of Chhattisgarh
Raipur