Ambassador Dinkar Asthana plants a tree.

Lao-India Entrepreneurship Development Centre plants trees to mark National Arbour Day

Laos observes National Arbour Day on June 1, when government bodies, organisations, companies and communities around the country plant trees to mark this annual event.
Along with many other groups of people, realising the importance of National Arbour Day and planting trees, the Indian Embassy to Laos and the Lao-India Entrepreneurship Development Centre (LIEDC) in Vientiane organised an official ceremony to plant trees to mark this important day.
The tree planting ceremony took place on Tuesday, May 31.
It was attended by the Indian Ambassador to Laos, Mr Dinkar Asthana; Minister of Education and Sports, Prof. Dr Phout Simmalavong; President of the Lao-India Friendship Association, Mr Southam Sakonhninhom; President of LIEDC, Mrs Soutsaychai Duangsavanh; and officials and staff from the LIEDC and Indian Embassy.
The group planted many trees in the grounds of the Lao-India Entrepreneurship Development Centre. Everyone was very pleased to take part in the event and enjoyed planting trees together.
Ambassador Dinkar Asthana said “It gives me great pleasure to be here for the Tree Planting Ceremony at LIEDC today.  This occasion marks the National Tree Planting Day of the Lao PDR, which is celebrated on June 1 every year.”
“I am glad that I had the privilege and honour to participate in National Tree Planting Day on June 1, 2019, when we planted trees at the LIEDC premises in memory of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation of India.  These events indeed strengthen the friendly relations and bonds between our two countries,” the Ambassador said.
“I am especially happy because the event today is being celebrated at a time when we ourselves are in the midst of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav – as we affectionately call our celebrations – is a festival to commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.”
“In India, the Van Mahotsav or the Forest Festival is celebrated for a full week, from July 1-7 every year.  It aims to encourage people to plant more and more trees.  Needless to say, trees contribute to the production of food resources, maintain ecological balance, improve air quality, conserve water, preserve soil, support wildlife, reduce drought and prevent soil erosion and pollution. Friends, these kind of events are important to spread awareness and forest conservation and to save our environment.”
“As we plant trees here today, it reminds me of a news article published in the Vientiane Times a few days ago stating that the ‘Lao Forestry Ministry targets planting of 35 million trees this year as part of efforts to create more green areas and achieve forest cover of 70 percent by 2025’. It gives me immense satisfaction that I will also be planting a tree at the LIEDC premises and contributing towards the green initiative launched by the government of the Lao PDR.”
Prof. Dr Phout Simmalavong said “On behalf of the Ministry of Education and Sports and on my own behalf, it is an honour for me to be invited to attend and deliver remarks at this tree planting ceremony to show the cooperation between the government of the Lao PDR, especially the Ministry of Education and Sports, and the government of the Republic of India, especially the Embassy of India to the Lao PDR.”
“It is also organised to welcome Laos’ National Tree Planting Day on June 1. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the LIEDC for preparing and making this beautiful and meaningful ceremony,” he added.
“The Embassy of India to the Lao PDR and the LIEDC organised a Tree Planting Day to celebrate the 150th anniversary of planting of trees in Mahatma Gandhi’s memory and National Tree Planting Day on June 1, 2019. The tree planting ceremony is a symbol of the cooperation and strengthened the friendship between the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Embassy of India to the Lao PDR.”

By Visith Teppalath
(Latest Update June 7, 2022)