The State Government is drafting a plan for facilitating plantation of various trees at different altitudes in the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand. Chief Minister Harish Rawat said this at the Himalaya Day programme held at Gandhi Park here on Wednesday.
Earlier on the occasion, noted environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna administered a pledge to the gathering for saving the Himalayas. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the State is drafting a plan for utilising 20 per cent of available pine needles this year.
The State is also planning to plant specific trees according to the altitude of the location. Rawat said that till recently the efforts aimed at conserving the Himalayas were limited to research institutions but now this is being taken up as a public campaign. The State has also decided that the Himalayas will be the centre of its policies henceforth. He said, “Economic development and employment will have to be linked with environment.
“The Harela festival celebrated in the recent past during which extension tree plantation was carried out saw considerable participation of women.”
“Van Panchayats are a unique feature of Uttarakhand and the State is going to conduct elections for these. It is hoped that about 60 per cent women will be elected in Van Panchayats,” he said.
Referring to Government plans, the CM said that the State is planning to accord priority to plantation of apple and walnut trees in higher altitude areas, malta and lemons in middle altitude areas and Tejpatta, guava and mango trees in lower altitude and plains. He exhorted the public to make collective efforts for protecting the Himalayas.
The CM and Bahuguna later flagged off a public awareness rally in the presence of cabinet minister MP Naithani, mountaineer Harshwanti Bisht and others. The rally culminated at the town hall where a meet was held.
Speaking at this meet State Forest minister Dinesh Aggarwal stressed on the need for preserving the environment of the Himalayas and rejuvenating livelihoods. He said that it migration of people from the mountainous areas continues it will have a detrimental effect on social and strategic aspects of the State.
Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli, poet and writer Atul Sharma and others were also present on the occasion.