A tree plantation drive was reportedly launched at the Sonsoddo waste site on World Environment Day to convert the legacy dump area into a dense forest and green recreational space. The government has announced plans to plant five lakh trees across Goa over the next three months. The government has also given a push for vertical forests. This is a good move as vertical forests enhance air quality by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen, contribute to urban cooling by providing shade, and promote biodiversity. Be that as it may, it seems prudent to involve schoolchildren in the green mission. Schoolchildren are the future citizens of the country, and the love for plants should be imbibed in them at a young age. It is pertinent to note that every year the new academic year for schools coincides with the onset of the monsoon, which is the right time to carry out tree plantation. Hence, it would be befitting to include the tree plantation drive in the school curriculum. Children should be given practical guidance on planting trees and caring for them subsequently.
