Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

In a new initiative for eco-conservation, the residents of a village in Kaushambhi district, India, have made it mandatory for every newly wedded couple to plant a tree.

The residents of Amni Lokipur village of Mooratganj development block have resolved that every newly married couple of the village would be allowed to enter their house only after planting the sapling of a fruit bearing tree and pledging to nurture it as their 'first child'.

Swatantra Singh, former gram pradhan of the village, said, "The initiative has already started with the first couple who got married after the recent decision, has planted a sapling and resolved to care for it like their first born.

Over the years, our lush green village has lost much of its green cover as the size of farming fields and houses increased.

However, now we all have resolved to make it green once again."

The first couple is Atul, a 26-year-old farmer and his newlywed wife Sandhya, 23, who planted the first sapling of a Peepal tree in the village.

Bhopal women group's unique initiative to protect environment

In a separate incident, a women's group in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal has started a unique initiative to promote environmental protection by planting saplings and growing plants.

This women's group comprises of wives of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers in Bhopal under the name 'Crazy Innovative Women's group'.

This group of women has planted saplings in the residential areas and also taken a pledge to protect them by setting up tree guards.

The purpose of planting these saplings is to reduce pollution.

This is the reason that this group of women are planting saplings in populated and market areas.

The women's group has also got the support of Bhopal's Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Irshad Wali in their endeavour.

He is himself monitoring and inspecting the trees in the market and crowded places.

The members of the women's group are also spreading awareness among general public about tree plantation and environmental protection in different populated areas of Bhopal such as Chuna Bhatti, Kolar Road, New Market, 10 Number Market etc.

Indo-Asian News Service