In a significant initiative to enhance the green cover across Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday called upon the farmers to plant at least four trees around their tube wells.

Making the appeal during a meeting to review the state’s afforestation drive, Mann emphasized the urgent need to increase the forest cover in Punjab. He announced that the State Government has set an ambitious target of planting three crore saplings this year, launching a massive plantation drive in the coming days.

Mann, highlighting the pivotal role of farmers, encouraged them to transform this campaign into a public movement. He compared their potential contribution to this environmental cause with their success in making India self-reliant in food production.

“Last year, we planted 1.2 crore saplings. This year, our goal is three crore,” said the Chief Minister, while calling on the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to play an active role in this plantation drive, ensuring a significant enhancement of green cover across the State. Mann instructed the DCs to identify vacant government land in their districts for extensive plantation efforts.

Chief Minister Mann underscored the importance of monitoring the plantation drive at the grassroots level. He revealed that Punjab has 14.01 lakh tube wells, and if every farmer plants four saplings around each well, the state's forest cover will increase substantially. He expressed pride in the fact that the government has already covered 3.95 lakh tube wells under this scheme, with plans to cover the remaining wells within the year.

Quoting the Gurbani verse “Pawan Guru, Paani Pitaah, Mata Dharat Mahat”, Mann highlighted the spiritual significance of air, water, and land, equating them to teacher, father, and mother, respectively. He stressed the importance of integrating these teachings into daily life to restore Punjab's environmental heritage.

“The State Government is committed to this noble cause, and we need the support of every citizen,” the Chief Minister said, adding, “By planting more trees, we can collectively ensure a healthier and greener future for Punjab.”