Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Sunday planted a ‘Kalpataru’ tree at the premises of All India Radio (AIR) at Shankar Nagar locality in the city.
Talking to media persons on the occasion, the Chief Minister stated that it would be an endeavour by the Chhattisgarh Government to get, on an average, four saplings planted by every resident of the State.
He said that before arrivals of monsoons, a total of 10 lakh saplings would be planted in the State.
Meanwhile, Housing and Environment Minister Rajesh Munat distributed prizes to the winners of the poster competition at a programme held at New Circuit House on World Environment Day.
He said that the various competitions on the issue of environment conservation would be held for the next 30 days in the State.
On the other hand senior officials of South East Central Railway, Raipur division planted sapling at various locations such as loco Colony, RPF barrack and others.
It may be recalled that Chief Minister Raman Singh has already announced to launch a special ‘Plantation Drive’ during the monsoon season from June 15 to July 10 this year.
A meeting to prepare for a massive plantation drive was convened by Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) Chairman Aman Kumar Singh here recently.
The main aim of the drive is to make Raipur more eco-friendly.
Singh had suggested officials to carry out the 26-day campaign in collaboration with Government organizations and non-governmental organisations.
He had urged for identifying areas for the plantation and the sapling varieties.
Singh had further pointed out on marking around 5 to 10 acres of land in the city premises in order to develop it as a ‘Model’ which can later turn into a tourist attraction spot.
Also, he directed officials on selecting vacant lands, school compounds, roadsides and dividers for the plantation work.
Singh directed to plant sapling measuring over 8 to 10 feet.
He ordered for regular care of these saplings. To provide sufficient plants for the drive, Singh advised to open counters at various points of the city.
The Forest Department officials were told to focus on the publicity of the available plants and their rates.
As many as 8.25 crore saplings were planted last year, officials stated.
Panchayat and Rural Development Department officials had informed that 5,183 activities are sanctioned for planting saplings on the roadsides under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and Mukhya Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
The Government fixed a budget of over Rs111 crore for planting 10 lakh saplings under the plan.
Similar targets were made at the nursery and block plantation levels.
Notably, Chief Minister Raman Singh had urged each citizen to plant atleast four saplings in the greening exercise. It sums up to planting 10 crore saplings by the present population of 2.5 crore across the State.
Singh gave different target to every Government Department. The maximum aim of planting 40 crore saplings was set for the Forest Department.