Punjab Information and Public Relations Minister Aman Arora on Monday started the ‘Amrit Van’ campaign to afforest 600 acres of panchayat land in Sangrur district by planting saplings at Badrukhan village.
Under this campaign, a unique effort has been made by the District Administration, with the support of Round Glass Foundation, to increase the area under forest in Sangrur district, said Arora.
He said that a drive has successfully been carried out to free the illegally occupied panchayat lands; and now, this campaign has been started to develop mini forests in Punjab. “AAP-led Government has prepared a draft for the all-round development of Punjab under which activities would be visible soon at the ground level,” he added.
Arora said that there are eight blocks in Sangrur district; and under this campaign, 75 acres of land was being identified in each block where dense mini forests are to be developed for greenery. “The main purpose of this campaign is to connect the new generation with the forests and this will not only help in keeping the environment clean but also provide habitat for many animals and birds,” he said, adding that the Administration will plant only native varieties of trees of Punjab on an area of at least one kanal to 10 acres.
He said that besides increasing the area under forests, the goal has also been set to increase the income of people and panchayats under which orchids were also being planted in villages. He said that proper care of the plantations will be ensured under the MGNREGA scheme as around 6.60 lakh man-days will be created in the first year.
He said that in the same way, the ‘Van Mittars’ will be given employment of about three lakh man-days in the second year for the proper nurturing of saplings.
Arora said that the State Government has continuously taken steps to bring positive changes in Punjab and this campaign was also a big step towards making the state clean and green again. He also appealed to Punjabis to support the State Government in increasing the forest area of Punjab and try to grow forests on maximum area for which saplings are being provided free of charge.
DGP kickstarts plantation drive; over 31000 trees to be planted across state
As part of the celebrations of Van Mahotsav-2022, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav on Monday planted a Sagwan (Teak) sapling at Punjab Police Headquarters in Chandigarh to commence a state-level tree plantation drive. As many as 31,000 saplings of different species, including Maulsari, Amaltas, Teak, Terminalia Arjuna, etc, will be planted across all the Police Districts or Units under the plantation drive, which was initiated by the Punjab Police’s Welfare Wing. The saplings have been provided by the State Forest Department. The DGP said Punjab Police has organized this massive tree plantation drive under which 31,000 trees will be planted under the slogan “Rukh Lagao, Punjab nu Sawarg Banao”.