The Himachal Pradesh Forest Minister Khimi Ram said that Govt would plant 2 crore saplings this monsoon as part of the Vanamahotsava. He said it in Jawalamukhi.
Minister claimed that in the past 4 years, the state government has planted 6,40,00,000 plants of different varieties in 20,000 hectares of land in the state. The varieties include timber, fruit and medicinal plants. He said that the state had also succeeded in rearing sandalwood plants in the Dehra sub division of the Kangra district, which would benefit people monetarily too. Minister added that under Pipal-Bargad Yojna , 8,000 plants were planted in 4,446 villages of the state last year and the scheme shall continue.
Khimi Ram said that right now state has Forests cover about 21,325 sq kms of its total area and the Govt is aiming to provide green cover to 50 per cent of the total area. To achieve it an integrated watershed department project for the Shivaliks is under preparation. Another project for the afforestation of barren ‘Kandi’ areas has been undertaken with the help of the World Bank.
