NRIs drive green project in Mississauga

MISSISSAUGA: The city of Mississauga has undertaken an ambitious project of planting one million trees by 2032. Launched in the spring of 2013, Mississauga — Canada’s sixth largest and fastest growing major city in the central part of the Greater Toronto area — has already planted over 100,000 trees so far. Huge credit for this overwhelming success can be attributed to the dedication and hard work of non-resident Indians who joined forces to support this green drive aimed at conserving and enhancing the city’s open spaces and forested areas for future generations to enjoy.
The commitment demonstrated by NRIs reiterates their resolve to improve the quality of life in Canada, as trees play a vital role in preserving the environment and promoting good health among residents. The community came together in multiple capacities — as volunteers, organizations, partners and leaders — everybody joining forces with a mission to help it succeed.
Families worked alongside more structured organizations like KC Group, Sai Baba, Punjabi Health Services, Mississauga Kerala Association and Sri Sathya Sai Centre of Cooksville to make the project a success.
Besides tree-planting, the city offered other hands-on activities such as vegetable gardening, tree climbing demonstrations and guided walks. This spring, a green celebration included an earth market that envisaged workshops, vendors’s and exhibitors’ stalls, kids’ activities and film screenings. Healthy food was offerd by the Localista food truck, and a live performance ensued. The ‘One Million Trees Mississauga’ website offers comprehensive on the green drive.