67.11 lakh tree saplings planted on 2,085 hectares during monsoons in Punjab

Chandigarh, November 19, 2014: The Punjab Forest Department has successfully planted 67.11 lakh tree saplings on 2085 hectares during the current monsoon season in a co-ordinated and planned tree plantation campaign to achieve the target of 15% forest cover by the year 2020. He said that Punjab Government has set aside Rs 42 crore for this mission of National ecological importance.

Forest and Wildlife Protection Minister, Punjab, Chunni Lal Bhagat, while reviewing the progress of PUNCAMPA project here today, emphasised that it was imperative for forest department to protect the new plantation besides take suitable measures for upkeep and maintenance of old plantation at 8,575 hectares. He said that field units of Forest Department must work in unison and total coordination in this mission. He underlined the need for using latest information technology, Global Positioning System (GPS) and Remote Sensing Technology using satellite imagery to monitor the actual progress of forest cover in the state.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests said that this project is being carried out with the assistance of the central government. He said that under this project the forest department plans to spend Rs. 42 crores in the current financial year and special attention is being paid for the proper upkeep and maintenance of 2085 hectare new plantation and 8575 hectare old plantation throughout the state, under which 67.11 lakh saplings have been planted.

He further informed that besides this, safeguards have also been envisaged in the project about the security of wild animals and not only this, but improving information technology infrastructure and making people aware about importance of protecting wildlife and encouraging research work about forest and wildlife is also included among the goals of the project.

The Minister instructed the department officials to complete the projects on time and properly utilize the funds so that the project be completed on time. The Minister also asked the field officers to make field visits as much as possible so that quality of work is maintained

 

-----------------------------

Readers may send their news/views/feedback to us: