Environmental Enthusiasts Gather at Prakriti Utsav

New Delhi: The Indian Nurserymen Association (INA) organized a grand Prakriti Utsav event on February 12 at the India International Centre. It served as a key platform for nursery professionals, environmentalists, and policymakers to discuss urban greening, tree conservation, and sustainable nursery management. Hundreds of nurserymen from across India attended, uniting to tackle challenges in floriculture and landscaping.

Chief Guests and Key Speeches

Former Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ attended as the chief guest. He emotionally stated, “People close to nature are naturally simple and straightforward. Nature is our true guru.” His words deeply inspired everyone present.Former MP KC Tyagi praised INA’s efforts openly. He said, “The work of the Indian Nurserymen Association is not only commendable but essential for the country’s environmental protection. Their initiatives have planted millions of trees on roads, parks, and in cities.” Environmental expert Sunita Narain added prestige to the event. She urged, “Every person should plant at least one new sapling. This small step will become a powerful weapon against climate change.”

Leadership and State Representatives

INA President YP Singh was absent due to health reasons, so Vice President Naba Kumar Das represented him on stage. Representatives from every state attended, including Rafiq Khan from Uttar Pradesh, Rubul Hasan from Assam, Inderjeet Singh from Punjab, Naba Kumar Das and Gobinath Baig from West Bengal, Pramod Bhargav from Madhya Pradesh, Pratish Raja from Tamil Nadu, Dr. Ashok Yadav from Haryana, Kamraj Chaudhary from Gujarat, and Sanjeev Reddy from Andhra Pradesh.General Secretary Mukul Tyagi expertly anchored the event. Long associated with INA, he has led membership growth, policy advocacy, and awareness campaigns. His leadership ensured the smooth success of Prakriti Utsav. Treasurer Mukesh Sharma deserves special mention for personally welcoming guests, handling logistics, and presenting the detailed financial accounts for 2024-25 during the Annual General Meeting after lunch.

Highlights and Awards

A major highlight was honoring 13 leading NGOs for their work in rural afforestation, water conservation, and biodiversity protection. They received certificates and mementos. Key attendees included Ghalib Khan, Kambham Kishore Kumar Reddy, Induri Chandra Mohan, Vikas Mahajan, Arif Khan from Meerut Mandal, Kashmir Singh from Kaimganj Mandal, Khalid from Amroha Mandal, and Khalid Khan from Saharanpur Mandal, along with state chapter reps and industry experts. The event fostered networking and policy discussions for the future. INA announced wider participation via digital platforms for the next edition. Prakriti Utsav once again proved that collective efforts can turn India into a green nation.