The State Forest Department is making consistent efforts to maintain greenery in the district, officials stated. In the year 2014-15 afforestation on 12 hectares area of lalpur in Bemetara district was done under CAMPA fund.
Saplings of Neem, Arjuna, Amla, Mahua, Jamun, khamhar, mundi, neelgiri and bamboo were planted. Bamboo saplings were planted around afforestation area.
Now that unused land has turned into lush green area. Positive changes in micro-climatic conditions have also been noticed. Notably, the Hariyar Chhattisgarh Campaign launched by Union Environment and Forests Minister Prakash Javadekar in Naya Raipur on August 3 last year had already gained immense momentum. As many as 8.25 Crore saplings were planted under the campaign last year, officials stated.
Notably, CM Raman Singh had urged each citizen to plant atleast four saplings in the ongoing greening exercise. It sums to planting 10 crore saplings by the present population of 2.5 crore across the State. Singh had given different targets to every Government Department. The maximum aim of planting 40 crore saplings was set for the Forest Department.
The Panchayat and Rural Development Department was given a target of 2 crore plants followed with a target of 25 crore 50 lakh for Housing and Environment Department, 6 lakh for School Education Department and 4.20 lakh
Significantly, it may be recalled that Chhattisgarh has as many as 6750 ‘Eco Clubs’ supported by Centre’s ‘National Green Core’ (NGC) programme and National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) programme, according to Union Ministry of Environment & Forests’ 2014-15 annual report.