31st July 2024: In the village of Utoon, located in the sub-division of Tawdhu, the SBI Foundation and the Akhil Bhartiya Gramin Utahan Samiti celebrated World Nature Conservation Day 2024. This event was organized under the CSR Gram Seva Project of SBI Foundation, which involved planting trees at the village’s pond.
Gopal Bajiya, Programme Coordinator, ABGUS, explained, “World Nature Conservation Day is observed every year on July 24. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about the worsening climate crisis and to discuss how we can better preserve the environment and its natural resources for future generations. This year’s theme for World Environment Day is land restoration, combating desertification, and enhancing drought resilience. According to a UN conference, 40% of the planet’s land has already been degraded, which directly affects the global population and biodiversity. Local conservation activities such as tree planting, clean-up drives, and wildlife protection efforts should be organized or participated in. Educating oneself and others about environmental issues, conserving water, using renewable energy sources, and adopting environmentally friendly practices can help reduce carbon emissions.”
During this tree planting program, 63 villagers participated, including Utoon’s sarpanch, Tashwar Shera Khan, along with Anil Sharma, Gopal Bajiya, Yashpal, Akhtar Suresh, Seema Vikas, Ashok Kumar, Suman, and Kavita, among others.