SANJEEV MAHAJAN
NURPUR: A comprehensive programme dedicated to environmental conservation and social welfare was organised in Samela village under Pundar panchayat of the Nurpur Assembly constituency. The programme was chaired by Brijesh Pathania, Director of Arjun Save Earth Foundation, with the core objective of enhancing per capita income of villagers and promoting sustainable development.
As part of the initiative, the foundation distributed 800 saplings free of cost among villagers. These included medicinal, fruit-bearing and commercially important plants. Villagers were informed about the medicinal properties and commercial cultivation potential of moringa (drumstick). Fruit saplings such as Miyazaki mango, Tiwani pink guava, kumquat lemon, apple varieties Anna and HRMN-99, hybrid pear and jackfruit were also distributed. In addition, timber and commercial plants including P23 eucalyptus, African mahogany, neem and blueberry were provided.
Under the social empowerment component, the foundation announced free educational, technical and paramedical scholarships for students who have secured 50 per cent or more marks in Class 10. Information was also shared about upcoming workshops aimed at strengthening self-help groups to promote women and youth empowerment. Villagers were made aware of various welfare schemes run by the Labour Department.
In a significant decision, the foundation announced that it will adopt Samela village for a one-year period from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, during which continuous support will be provided for the all-round development of the village.
The programme witnessed active participation from Gram Sudhar Sabha Samela president Nazir Khan, along with Bilu, Barjinder Kumar, Krishan Singh, Pramod Singh, Sushil Kumar, Baseer Khan, Yakub Din, Sukhdev Singh, Joginder Singh, Saurabh Pathania, Shivali Pathania, Veena Devi, Baldev Singh, Suljeet Singh, Krishna and Jagdish Rana. BDC member Sharma, Sher Singh Pathania and press reporter Sanjeev Mahajan were also present. A large number of local women, including Rita, Seema, Neelam and Savitri Devi, also took part in the programme.
At the conclusion of the event, members of the gram sabha and villagers lauded the initiative of Arjun Save Earth Foundation, describing it as a historic step towards a brighter and sustainable future for Samela village.