Chandigarh, May 12:
The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stands fully committed to leave a clean and green environment for the coming generations. As part of this, the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Department would plant 1.26 crore saplings during the year 2023-24 throughout the State.
Disclosing this in a review meeting of the department, the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak also said that since the demand for the saplings of 'Jand' is quite high, emphasis would be laid on the plantation of these.
The Department has a total of 212 nurseries in the State in which the women employees constitute the maximum number. These nurseries don't have the toilet facilities, hence 100 toilets would be set up in 100 nurseries under State authority Campa scheme for which Rs. 3 crore have been proposed. Thus, Punjab has become the first State in the country to undertake this work in an organized manner.
The work would be carried out in 2 phases, said the Minister adding that the rest of the nurseries would be provided with the toilet amenities next year. He expressed satisfaction that the work on the project has begun on war footing in some districts.
Coming to other issues, the Minister divulged that earlier, the department used to make purchase of the polythene bags for the saplings but now the department would manufacture these at it's own level. A factory manufacturing polythene bags comes under the jurisdiction of Conservator of Forests Research Circle, Hoshiarpur which has commenced operations from the previous year. The facility prepares 6 Tonnes of polythene bags in one week and also has the capability and wherewithal to produce bags of various sizes as per the demand.
Apart from this, more than 250 signboards carrying environment related slogans are on display at the roadsides thus making people aware about keeping their surroundings clean.
Among others present on the occasion included the Financial Commissioner Vikas Garg, PCCF R.K. Mishra and other officers.