To increase green cover in the State, Haryana Government has decided to launch a special plantation drive in educational institutions alongwith the celebration of Independence day on August 15. Haryana Forest Minister, Rao Narbir Singh on Wednesday said that the month long Van Mahotsava had started on July 15 and would conclude on August 15, Independence day.
As the concluding day of Van Mahotsava coincides with Independence Day, a special plantation drive would be launched along with flag hoisting programme in schools, colleges, Universities and other such institutions in the State, said the Minister.
The Minister said that a state level Van Mahotsava function was celebrated at village Budhpur in district Rewari and about five lakh saplings were distributed in the entire state the same day. About two crore saplings would be distributed during this year.
The state is celebrating the 67th Van Mahotsava and every citizen has been urged to plant at least two saplings this year.
He said that panchayats, departments, institutions and social organisations have been urged to come forward to support the Forest Department in planting saplings on vacant lands of government, panchayats and others.
Many places have been identified for plantation, which would increase the forest area and number of trees in Haryana. This year, a decision has been taken to plant saplings on vacant land of railway and on the both sides of national highways, said he.
The State Government had recently appealed to the people to plant saplings on special occasions like birthday, marriage, anniversary, festivals or any achievement in the state.
At present, the forest cover is around 3.58 per cent out of the total area of 44 lakh hectares of Haryana and the State Government has set a target to increase it to six per cent in next five years and make it 10 percent in the future.