The department of Forest and Environment is all set to initiate the massive plantation drive across the districts in the midst of the rising concerns of shrinking forest cover that is also linked with the endurance of various forest dwelling communities and to increase the green pockets across the state.
“As per the schemes of ‘Jan Van Yojana’, the saplings will be provided to public at a minimum cost of Rs. 5 per piece. All the three major plant nurseries of the department located in Mahilong, Burmu and Dhurwa have sufficient saplings available at present. However, the department will also make all essential arrangement to provide other different variety of plants available for plantation across the state capital to people as per the demand. There are few temporary nurseries of the department which too will be engaged in the drive and public can also collect saplings from these nurseries at a subsidized rate,” said, Divisional Forest officer (DFO), Ranchi, Rajiv lochan Bakshi.
“The department is also gearing up for massive awareness campaign drive especially at bock level. If required, the department will also rope in or collaborate with major companies to make this initiative a success. Our target is planting 1.5 lakhs saplings across the state capital this year. Approximately, 2.5 crore saplings will be planted across the state. Awareness will be also created through the platform of ‘Van Mahotshav’ events,” added Bakshi.
The motto behind the massive plantation exercise is to restore foliage in the State as per the instruction issued by the Chief Minister Raghubar Das in the recent review meeting of Department of Forest and Environment. The plantation drive at the same time would ensure active people’s participation for reverberating results for this ambitious project.
According to the National Forest Policy 1988, 33 per cent of the total geographical area of a city should have green cover. As the green lungs are slowly shrinking across the state, the massive plantation drive will provide afresh lease of life and will also increase the green pastures across the state.
Recently, CM mentioned that the State Government is going to conduct plantation drive across the State from July 1. The exercise would be run on the line of Yojna Banao Abhiyan and participation of the common man would be ensured into that. Only active people’s participation can make such programme a success benefitting both human beings and environment mentioned CM in the review meeting.
Few Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under their CSR plans have already initiated the plantation drive in their respective areas to contribute in for green and clean city. Nevertheless, people are yet not familiar with government initiative in the absence of publicity. On the other hand officials engaged in the project assured that soon through various medium they will target maximum public and ensure their participation in the state Government ambitious project.