In honor of World Environment Day, HCG Cancer Hospital in Kolkata held a sapling plantation drive at its New Town location. This event reaffirmed the hospital’s dedication to environmental stewardship and preventive health while emphasizing the necessity of lowering long-term exposure to risk factors like air pollution and environmental toxins that may contribute to diseases like cancer.

Dr. Rupali Basu, RBH (East & AP), HCG Cancer Hospitals; Mr. Gurvinder Singh, Chief Operating Officer, HCG Cancer Centre, Kolkata; and Mr. Subrata Mondal, Superintending Architect, New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) graced the event. Saplings were planted and watered by the dignitaries along the hospital’s perimeter wall, signifying a commitment to a healthier and greener future.

“A cleaner, greener environment is a vital line of defense in reducing environmental risk factors linked to cancer and other public health concerns. Communities as a whole can gain from working together to create a healthier environment. A silent commitment to the welfare of future generations is made with each seedling planted today,” said Dr. Rupali Basu.

“Every citizen should pledge to plant at least one tree and nurture it for a year. This is particularly crucial in a location like New Town, where concrete is expanding quickly, and greenery needs to keep up with it due to rising pollution,” said Mr. Subrata Mondal.

The program was a component of HCG’s larger mission to encourage community involvement in long-term sustainability and well-being initiatives and to promote health outside of hospital walls.

Priyanka Dutta