Over seven lakh saplings of teak, chhatian, bada chakunda, sishu, gambhari, piasal, nails, amla, bahara, karanja, faso, kaintha, Radhachuda, Krushnachuda, jamun, champa, bara, neem, guava and bamboo species have been developed through nine nurseries here.
The saplings will be planted in the Athagarh Forest Division area during the current rainy season to develop the forest stretch.
At least 4.63 lakh sixty-three saplings would be distributed free of cost to the beneficiaries with certain terms and conditions. Over 2.50 lakh saplings would be planted in Athagarh forest area from which one lakh saplings will be planted in 500 hectares as a part of Artificial Natural Regeneration programme and 28,000 bamboo saplings will be planted in another 70 hectares of land under the CAMPA scheme. Similarly, 20,000 saplings would be planted under Increasing Green Cover programme while another 20,000 saplings would be planted under the Green Mahanadi Mission plan.
Under bald hills plantation programme, 56, 000 saplings would be planted in 35 hectares of land. This apart, under the scheme of DRDA and NREGS. several hectares would have plantations, said Athagarh DFO Sasmita Lenka.
When asked about Cyclone Fani-affected Athagarh jungle and the status of fallen trees and wildlife, the DFO declined to say anything. She also failed to say on the target and achievements of plantation made last year. She could not say on the project cost under different plan and programmes which puts the department under scanner.