MISSION TANDRUST PUNJAB: TOTAL OF 5.17 LAKH TREE SAPLINGS TO BE PLANTED IN ALL VILLAGES OF DISTRICT LUDHIANA

Ludhiana, February 5, 2019: Deputy Commissioner Mr Pardeep Kumar Agrawal today informed that under the Mission Tandrust Punjab and to commemorate 550th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, a total of 5,17,550 tree saplings (550 for each gram panchayat) would be planted in Ludhiana district. For the success of this project, a comprehensive plan has been formulated by the District Administration.

While chairing a District-Level review meeting of Mission Tandrust Punjab in his office, here today, the Deputy Commissioner informed that a district level committee in this regard has been formed to ensure that the land for planting these tree saplings is identified and the saplings are planted as well as maintained properly. This committee would work under the direct supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) and Divisional Forest Officer.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Dr Shena Aggarwal and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.

The Forest Department officials present in the meeting informed that the land for planting the tree saplings has already been identified and the pits where these saplings are to be planted would be ready by March 2019.

Mr Agrawal informed that the saplings are being prepared in 13 different nurseries of the district and majority of the saplings would be of fruit, ornamental, medicinal and other types of trees.

Mr Agrawal informed that the entire process has to be carried out before the next Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and that is why, a time frame for each work has been fixed that would be followed strictly by the officers. He informed that the plantation of tree saplings would be carried from July 1-September 30, 2019. The efforts for proper maintenance of tree saplings to start from ground level from September 30, 2019 onwards.

Meanwhile, during the review meeting, the officials from the Transport Department were directed to ensure that regular checking of vehicles so that the pollution levels in the city are checked and vehicles flouting rules should be challaned. Mr Agrawal directed the Health Department officials to carry out checks and record samples of eatables being sold by sweetmeat shop owners, restaurants, and all other such places selling eatables so that residents get only good quality products. He also asked them to take strict action against all the violators.

He directed the officials from Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to challan the industries that pollute our environment and initiate strict legal proceedings against them. The Public Works Department (PWD) officials were directed to organise maximum number of awareness camps about the welfare schemes of the government. He also directed the officials to ensure maximum registration of construction labour.