Plantation of fruit and fodder trees is essential to make Uttarakhand an economically capable State. Chief Minister Harish Rawat said this after planting a sapling at the Gorkha Military inter-college here to mark the occasion of Harela.
Speaking on the occasion Rawat said, “Till now more importance was given to trees introduced from outside like the pine at the cost of native tree species that sustain our rural economy. In our Mera Pedh Mera Dhan (MPMD) scheme, we have accorded more importance to our traditionally grown and locally suited tree species. I expect the Forest Department to undertake dense plantation of Mehar on the outer areas of forests to develop a buffer zone of these trees which in turn will mitigate the damage caused by wild animals in villages and farms. Along with the cultivation of finger millet the cultivation of barley will also be taken up as a campaign,” he said.
Rawat said that a mango variety found in mountainous areas is also suitable for diabetics. The forest department should plant this mango variety densely in portions of parks while Mahua should also be planted in some zones where mango, sagwan and mustard are present. This will help develop the bee culture sector, said the CM. He instructed that the Forest Department in coordination with the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority should develop flower zones along the banks of Rispana and Bindal rivers. The CM exhorted the school children present on the occasion to grow a guava trees in their garden and also directed the Horticulture department to provide a guava sapling to every student of the Gorkha military inter college.
State Forest minister Dinesh Aggarwal said that enthusiastic public participation in the elaborate commemoration of Harela will contribute towards making the state greener and its environment more healthful. On the occasion the chief minister also presented fixed deposits to beneficiaries of the MPMD scheme. MlAs Prof Jeetram, Malchand, principal chief conservator of forests Dr Shrikant Chandola, former MlA Jot Singh Gunsola and school staff were among those present on the occasion.