Christ University alumni association takes up green drive

Taking their activities beyond the campus of their alma mater, the Christ University Alumni Association conducted a tree plantation drive near the Byrasandra lake in Jayanagar on Saturday.

Around 30 alumni and 70 degree students of the 'Green Army' of the university's Department of Life Sciences, together planted over 100 trees in the vicinity of the lake.

Local councillor Gangambike Mallikarjun, residents of the area and NGOs also took part in the drive.
“For several years, we have been conducting activities within the college like distributing scholarships. This year, we wanted to do something for the city we live in. We want Bengaluru to become green again and retain its tag as the 'garden city',” said Jugnu Oberoi, president of the alumni association, who graduated from Christ University in 1969. The association and present students had also taken up a drive to clean up the area around the lake in March.

The plantation drive was taken up with permission from the forest department officials and the Green Army will visit the site every weekend to ensure the plants are healthy.

 “Students will also interact with people in the area, especially in the surrounding slums, to educate them about keeping the surroundings and water bodies clean,” Oberoi said. The association is planning to conduct five more such tree plantation drives in different parts of the city. They also plan to hold a cycle rally on August 15 to raise awareness on conserving the environment.