PLANT more trees for greener Punjab: Jayani

Chandigarh, August 6, 2013: Surjit Kumar Jayani, Forest and Wild Life Preservation Minister, Punjab has urged the people of the state to plant more and more saplings for greener Punjab. He said that for this purpose the state government would celebrate 64th Van Mahautsav on august 7 at district Sangrur.

About the importance of trees Jayani said, “Let trees become a part of our family, the pride of the village and cities. Let us create such an environment.” He urged the people to form a special bond with the oldest tree of the village. He also urged the people to plant five trees on the birth of the girl child.

It is worth mentioning here that the state level Van Mahautsav is organised every year at various places by the State Forest Department to promote more green cover for the state. State Forest Department has appealed to the citizens to grow more trees and accomplish the saying “go green for better life” 

Jayani further said that the forest department has set the target of 4.75 crore plantation of saplings in this ongoing monsoon season. The department had prepared 5 crore saplings in the state's Nurseries to achieve the target. He said that the department has been supplying free saplings to educational institutions, Armed and Para Military Forces. Social and religious institution etc.  so that the state would enhance the under forest cover from existing 7% to 15 % in next 7 years.

He further said that in collaboration with the rural development saplings is being planted in all villages of the state under MGNREGA scheme. He said that survey had been completed in 9145 villages and identifies 90 thousand hectare land for plantation.