Govt takes steps to enhance green cover

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 14

The state government targets to bring 8712.45 hectares of additional area under the forest cover. It will spend Rs 45 crore to enhance the green cover during the financial year..

As per the 2013 report of the Forest Survey of India, the state has 14,683 square kilometres area under the green cover. In 1991, the area was only 11,780 square kilometres, stated a press release issued by the government today. To enhance the green cover, plantation was carried out on 29,745 hectares in two years. Saplings of broader leaves, wild fruit and medicinal plants are being given special care.

The move is expected to generate employment.

The state government has formulated a strategy for the plantation of saplings along roads constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Under the scheme, 1 lakh saplings of shahtoot (mulberry), jamun (jambolan), saru (cypress), shisham, spheda (ceruse), deodar and neem are being planted. Besides, 45 lakh medicinal plants will also be planted during the same period whereas 90 lakh such saplings were planted in the last two years. About 100 ponds have been constructed in various parts of the state.

As many as 725 nurseries have been developed in the state, apart from making 71 defunct nurseries operational to meet the demand of green cover campaign. A variety of 2.49 crore healthy plants, including fruit bearing, broader leaves and medicinal plants, were developed in these nurseries for plantation during the rainy season.