Sapling growth to be monitored for five years to boost Haryana’s forest cover
Since October 2014, about 18 crore saplings planted across the state
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Making a clarion call to plant the maximum number of saplings for environmental conservation and to ensure a healthier planet and a sustainable future, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini announced that the State Government has set an ambitious target of planting 2.10 crore saplings across the state this year. On this occasion, he also appealed to the people of the state to ensure that every family plants at least one tree during this monsoon season.
The Chief Minister said, “With the support of the citizens, I am confident that we will surpass this target once again.” He said that under the first phase of ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, 1.87 crore saplings have been planted in Haryana, surpassing the target of 1.60 crore saplings.
Saini was addressing at the State–level Van Mahotsav organized in Morni, district Panchkula today. He also announced that the the plantations initiated by the Forest Department will be geo-tagged and regularly mapped using drones each year. Their growth will be monitored for up to five years to ensure effective implementation and contribute to increasing the forest cover in Haryana. Since October 2014, about 18 crore saplings have been planted across the state.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister also released two booklets published by the Forests and Wildlife Department, focusing on Herbal Vatika and the development of Nature Trails to promote eco-tourism in the Morni region.
Responding to the demands raised by MLA Kalka, Smt. Shakti Rani Sharma, the Chief Minister assured that all development-related demands would be fulfilled after the concerned departments conduct the necessary feasibility studies.
Trees produce oxygen and play a vital role in combating climate change and restoring nature’s balance
The Chief Minister emphasized that, besides the Government, it is the collective responsibility of every individual to contribute to environmental conservation. He urged people to plant at least one sapling and care for it diligently, just like their own children, for a minimum of five years. He added that trees not only produce oxygen, which is essential for life, but also play a crucial role in addressing climate change and restoring nature’s balance. He said that in the desire to progress, many trees have been cut down, disturbing the natural balance and harming both nature and people's health. The Van Mahotsav is not just a tree-plantation program; it is a commitment that reminds us that nature is our life, and protecting it is our foremost duty. Our ancestors taught us the saying, "Vriksho Rakshati Rakshitah," which means—those who protect trees are, in turn, protected by them, the Chief Minister added.
Since 2014, Rs. 2,446 crore development works completed in Kalka Constituency compared to Rs. 304 crore in previous ten years
The Chief Minister said that today’s Van Mahotsav will play a significant role in both protecting trees and promoting tourism in the region. He added that the State Government has left no stone unturned to ensure the holistic development of the Morni area. Since 2014, development work worth Rs. 2,446 crore has been completed in the Kalka assembly constituency, compared to just Rs. 304 crore during the 10-year tenure of the Congress government. He said that in the last 10 years, we have made a total of 171 announcements for the Kalka assembly constituency. Of these, 60 announcements have been completed, and work is currently in progress on 9 others. He said that, for the first time, a government has been formed in the state for a third consecutive term under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, which is a clear testament to the growing faith of the people in the current government.