Chandigarh: The Forest Minister, Punjab, Sadhu Singh Dharmosot has said that due to the sincere and concerted efforts of the Punjab Government, the forest area of Punjab has witnessed an increase in the last few years and now stands at 35583 acres.
Dharmsot said that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, due to the wholehearted efforts undertaken by the state government for ensuring the better health of the people as well as a clean & green environment, the area under forest cover has increased to a large extent in the state. He further said that 65 lakh saplings have been distributed free of cost under the ‘Ghar-Ghar Hariyali’ campaign launched by the Punjab government on June 5, 2018, under the Mission Tandarust Punjab.
The minister also said that under ‘Ghar-Ghar Hariyali’ initiative, free distribution of saplings has been ensured to various government and private institutions of the state and not only this but 15 saplings per person have been provided to the people by their nearest nurseries through the ‘i-haryali’ app. He said that till now 18 lakh saplings have been provided through online booking.
Dharmsot further said that the state government is undertaking an initiative to plant 550 saplings in every village of the state on the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He further said that in the nurseries of the Forest and horticulture Department concept is being encouraged. He added that 550 saplings would be planted in every village in the state with the assistance of Panchayat Department.
The minister elaborated that the forest department has provided 10 lakh free saplings through the colonal hi-tech nursery Qadian (Gurdaspur), to the farmers of the state. Similarly, 4 lakh saplings have also been provided to the people of the state with the aim of maintaining a clean and healthy environment.