To achieve 15 per cent forest cover target besides ensuring planned greenery, Punjab Forest department has accomplished a major initiative by planting three lakh saplings on the roadsides in Malwa belt. The campaign has been launched after sustained removal of bushes from roadsides.
Under the Rs 9 crore project, saplings have been planted in 300 hectare area that included Bathinda-Malout, Malout-Fazilka, DMC roads, Malout-Muktsar, lambi-Gidarbaha and Malout-Satia Gano roads, said Punjab Forest and Wildlife Conservation Minister Chunni lal Bhagat.
He said that earlier travelers on these roads had to face problems due to heavy bushes but now traffic would be hassle-free on these roads as bushes had been cleared.
“Under this five-year project, saplings have been planted and during next three years, the plants would be looked after so that all plants grow properly. Arjun, eucalyptus, jamun, Burma Dek and neem saplings have been planted along the roadsides and wire has also been put around the area to save plants from animals,” he added.