PATNA/BETTIAH, Aug. 10 -- Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday tied a rakhi to a tree to spread awareness on environmental conservation on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Accompanied by Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary, environment minister Sunil Kumar, and other officials, the CM also planted a sapling at Rajdhani Vatika. According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Kumar urged people to take a pledge to protect trees. The state government has been observing Raksha Bandhan as 'Bihar Vriksh Suraksha Diwas' (Tree Protection Day) since 2012 to safeguard Bihar's green cover and environment - a tradition initiated by Kumar himself. "We should plant trees and save them to conserve the environment. The state government is focusing on sapling plantation under the Jal Jeevan Hariyali Mission and is also promoting eco-tourism," the statement quoted the chief minister as saying. At the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran district, forest personnel tied rakhis on tree trunks to mark the festival, which coincided with 'Bihar Prithvi Diwas', observed every year on August 9. Spread over 900 square kilometres and divided into two forest divisions, the VTR wore a festive look as forest staff, children, and villagers from various communities participated in the celebrations....