IIT-H plants 10K saplings, hoists national flag on 100-feet high mast on Independence Day
Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad marked the 80th Independence Day by planting more than 10,000 native saplings, taking its cumulative plantation on the campus to one lakh. The initiative focused on ecological restoration, biodiversity and sustainability using native Deccan species
Sangareddy: Marking the 80th Independence Day with a series of activities reflecting the spirit of nation-building, sustainability, innovation and service, the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) planted more than 10,000 native saplings across the campus, taking the institute’s cumulative plantation on its present campus to the landmark milestone of one lakh saplings on Saturday.
The plantation drive focused on ecological restoration using native Deccan species, representing IITH’s sustained commitment to creating a campus that is not only greener but also more ecologically rich and better suited to the region’s natural character.
The plantation initiative will build on IITH’s sustained campus-greening efforts, with the institute dedicating the first Saturday of every month to tree planting since October 2019, following the vision of Director Prof BS Murty and steadily transforming the campus landscape.
Between 2024 and 2026 alone, more than 64,000 saplings have been planted across the campus. The latest drive focused on more than 75 native Deccan species, moving beyond conventional plantations towards restoring the landscape’s ecological character and supporting campus biodiversity.
The day’s celebrations also began with the hoisting of the national flag on a 100-foot-high mast pole at the main entrance of IITH, adding a new symbol of aspiration to the campus. The towering flag would reflect the spirit of rising higher and contributing to nation-building, resonating with the motto of IITH, “Inventing and Innovating in Technology for Humanity”.
Speaking on the series of events, Prof Murty said Independence Day at the institute was a celebration of what it means to contribute to the nation in different but interconnected ways.