Punjab Government would plant two crore saplings in the current monsoon season under the 'Green Punjab Mission'. Under the mission, the State Government has set a target of increasing area under forest from existing 8 to 15 per cent till 2020, Forest and Wildlife department officials informed Minister in-charge Chuuni lal Bhagat in a meeting on Thursday.
Vacant land belonging to Government and panchayat bodies has already been identified for plantation after consultations with authorities concerned, Bhagat was informed. The officials informed that department nurseries have produced more than 2.50 crore saplings for the purpose for the year 2014-15.
Bhagat said the department would facilitate people by providing free saplings and free advice by experts, who want to plant saplings in their own land.
"Punjab Government is committed to increasing area under forest from existing 8 to 15 per cent till 2020 and to attain this target State Government is on an advanced stage of preparing a joint project in collaboration with Japan for technical guidance," he said.