Haryana sets target of increasing forest area by 7 to 20 pc

Haryana Forest and Environment Minister, Mr. Kanwar Pal informed that the Forest Department has set a target of increasing the forest area in the state by 7 to 20 percent, under which about 1.25 crore saplings will be planted this year. ‘COVID Vatika‘ will be set up in 1100 villages of the state in which medicinal plants will be planted.

Mr. Kanwar Pal was speaking to media persons after presiding over a review meeting with officers of the Forest Department through video-conferencing from the state headquarters. Earlier in the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary Forests and Wildlife Department, Mr. Alok Nigam, Principal Chief Conservator and HOD Forest, Dr. Amarinder Kaur, Principal Chief Conservator Forest (Wildlife), Mr. Alok Verma, and other senior officers of the department were present. On this occasion, Mr. Kanwar Pal also released a booklet related to the information on medicinal plants prepared by the Haryana Forest Department.

Mr. Kanwar Pal said that among the 1.25 crore saplings planted by the Forest Department, the goal is to plant more fruit saplings. These saplings will be planted in schools, colleges, religious places, roadsides and on panchayati land. He informed that ‘Vrikshamitra’ will be appointed to take care of these plants so that 100 percent plants can survive. He informed that this time the State Government is giving priority to evergreen plants rather than planting expensive saplings. He said that apart from trees and plants, it is also necessary to protect the wildlife and birds for the conservation of environment, therefore, priority will be given to those plants on which birds can build their nests and eat the fruit of.

He informed that this time the State Government will set up model orchards on panchayati land of many villages and if this effort is successful, then it will be implemented in the entire state. Through this, while the Panchayats will earn a good income, the orchards will help in keeping the area green and the environment clean for 50 years.

Mr. Kanwar Pal directed the officers of the Forest Department to prepare a list of villages in their respective areas that have sufficient panchayati land where they can be encouraged for planting ochards. He further said that the district-level officers of the Forest Department that they should pitch in to give new ideas to increase the forest cover in their districts and if results are positive then the same can be emulated in other districts.

He said that they should get saplings planted by sarpanches, nambardars and other influential people so that they too can feel connected with nature. He said that the officers should convince people of the society that afforestation is necessary to keep the environment clean so that pandemics like COVID-19 do not spread in future due to imbalance. He said that officers and employees should explain the scheme of the State Government to the farmers in which 50 percent profit is given to them at the time of sale for taking care of the trees planted on the government land adjoining the farmers’ lands.

He directed the officers to regularly keep tabs on their respective areas so that no one should encroach on the land of the Forest Department.