OREANDA-NEWS. July 6, 2011. Tata Power's (India’s largest integrated private power player) Belgaum power station is continuing its 'green' movement and has launched an afforestation programme. For widely promoting afforestation, the Belgaum team has planted over 400 saplings in the premises of Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board's (KIADB's) permanent exhibition hall at Kanabargi village.

Mr Kotresh, environment officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB); Mr Puttaraju, deputy environment officer, KSPCB; Mr Shivaram, assistant development officer, KIADB; Mr Aravind Rebinal, chief engineer, KIADB, and officers of the Tata Power Belgaum team were present on this occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Balraja Bhatt, head, Belgaum power station, Tata Power, said, “Caring for the environment is the need of the hour. The objective of undertaking this green initiative is to increase environment conservation consciousness and to demonstrate how each one of us can contribute towards combatting climate change, which is a challenge for the present and future generations. We at Tata Power strongly believe that such initiatives will benefit the environment, and in turn the society at large.”

Afforestation is the process of planting trees, saplings or seeds on non-forest land. While the benefits of trees can be grouped into social, communal, environmental, and economic categories, it is a known fact that trees alter the environment in which we live by moderating climate, improving air quality, conserving water, and harbouring wildlife. By planting trees and shrubs, we return to a more natural, less artificial environment. Birds and other wildlife are attracted to the area. The natural cycles of plant growth, reproduction, and decomposition are again present, both above and below ground. Natural harmony is restored.

Tata Power had also recently joined hands with KSPCB and launched an 'anti-plastic campaign' in Belgaum.