The Environment and Natural Resources Ministry has organised an islandwide initiative to plant 100,000 saplings to mark World Tree Planting Month which begins today. Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday in a message underscored the importance of continuing to protect Mother Nature as the survival of human kind depended on it. The Minister said in the backdrop of a surge in development in every sphere, the human kind had even gone to the extent of searching for other life forms in space, but had failed to apply the same vigor in protecting its own planet in its pursuit of higher levels and comforts. While emphasising that the world was reeling today due to this lack of foresight when it came to protecting nature, Minister Ranawaka said the need to align with and care for Mother Nature more than anything else is being felt today more than any other time. The Minister said such efforts need not have any specific time span but should continue unabated throughout as the survival of the human race depended on it.