Governor launches green drive

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 24

Governor Bandaru Dattatreya today launched a plantation drive on the Bhaikhalti Road in Mashobra near Shimla, which was jointly organised by the Forest Department and State Red Cross Society. More than 100 saplings were planted under this campaign. The Governor also planted saplings of deodar and walnut on the occasion.

He said trees were a gift of nature and their preservation was essential. He said the plantation drive could balance the environment and urged people to actively participate in the drive.

He said according to the Indian Forest Survey Report-2019 released in December last year, the green forest cover of Himachal Pradesh had registered an increase of 333.52 km, due to which Himachal had ranked fifth in this respect in the country. It is a matter of pride for the state, he said.

The Governor said that by the year 2030, the target has been set to increase the green area of the state from around 27 per cent to 30 per cent.

He also distributed soaps and masks to forest employees under COVID-19 response activities of State Red Cross.