Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh, June 12 -
Haryana's Environment and Forest Minister Rao Narbir Singh said the state government has started multi-dimensional efforts to increase the forest area in the state and maintain environmental balance. The Forest Department is working in mission mode on schemes from village level to international jungle safari.
Under urban forestry, 67,500 big plants have been planted in all the cities of the state. Under the Amrit Sarovar Yojana, the work of planting Peepal, Banyan and Neem trees on the banks of 2,200 ponds is in progress, while through agro-forestry, Safeda clones and fruit plants are being planted in farmers' fields. He informed that during the year 2024–25, more than 44 lakh saplings have been planted across the state so far, while more than 39 lakh saplings have been made available to the Rural Development Department under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan.
20 lakh saplings planted along rivers
Rao Narbir said more than 20 lakh saplings have been planted in the villages along the Yamuna and Ghaggar rivers keeping in mind land erosion and water conservation. 'Paudhagiri Abhiyan' has been launched to create awareness among the students about the environment, under which more than 13.50 lakh saplings have been distributed in schools during the year 2024–25.
Important role of Van Mitras
He said under the Van Mitra Yojana, so far more than 780 Van Mitras have done plantation work and more than 70,000 pits have been dug. Also, under the 'Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme' started to ensure the safety of trees above 75 years of age, so far a pension of Rs 2,750 per annum has been transferred directly to the accounts of the protectors of 3,819 trees.
New green expansion in Shivaliks and Aravallis
The Forest Minister informed that water harvesting structures like check dams are being constructed in the Shivalik and Aravalli mountain ranges in Haryana to conserve water and prevent land erosion. A total of 22.425 hectares of area has been declared as protected forest land in Gurugram, Nuh, Rewari and Mahendragarh districts during the year 2023–24. He said a Forest Research Institute would be set up in Yamunanagar district, which would become the centre of forest-based research, training and innovation in the state.
Jungle Safari and Research Centre will increase eco-tourism and employment
He said in line with the announcement made by Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini in the budget speech, an international level jungle safari would be developed in an area of 2,500 acres in Gurugram and Nuh districts, which would not only promote eco-tourism in the state but would also provide new green employment opportunities to the local youth. He said this initiative would promote eco-tourism in Haryana and open new green employment opportunities for the local youth.
Haryana's Vision: Clean Environment, Prosperous Rural Life
Rao Narbir Singh said that the aim of the government is not only to plant trees but also to establish a balance between environmental sustainability, water management and employment generation. Our aim is to make Haryana a national model of green development, he added.