PATACHARKUCHI, Sept 27 - The students and staff of Finguagarh High School under Bajali subdivision, which is around 10 kms from here, drew the attention of the nature-loving people recently by holding a �shoka sabha� (meeting to mourn) the loss/demise of a big tree around 30 years old in the school campus.
The students were reduced to tears when they saw the tree developed cracks on its trunk after failing to withstand its heavy weight and finally uprooted. The students decided to hold a �shoka sabha� in the school instead of the usual prayer meeting.
�We had a friendly relationship with the tree and used to take rest and study under its cool shade. The tree�s demise has given us immense pain,� opined a section of the students.
We have a number of trees in the school campus which measures around 1.9 hectares of land. The school was established in 1979. The students and staff were hurt over the unfortunate incident, admitted the Headmaster of the school.
When news about the nature-loving students broke out, the local people too condoled the great loss. Ananda Khataniar, brand ambassador of the state Forest and Environment Department praised the unique step of the school and informed that mass plantation was done so that it may benefit the schoolchildren in the days ahead.
On September 25, forest officials visited the school campus and lit a ceremonial lamp and urged those present to henceforth make it a point to plant 10 saplings against the loss of one tree after a procession in the campus.
Besides, they also distributed saplings among the students of the school.
