Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has set target of planting 7 crore trees in this year and 50 crore trees over next five years. He pledged to give the state green cover by engaging people for tree plantation.
“Environment conservation has been part of Indian culture. We worship trees, rivers and mountains as Gods. We need to step up plantation of trees. Today, we are in planting one crore trees in a day across the state,” Sharma said while inaugurating the 75th edition of Van Mahotsav programme on the occasion of Haryana Teej.
He said that the plants will be geotagged so that their protection and management can be ensured after plantation. Against a target of one crore trees, the state government so far has planted more than 2.01 crore trees with forest department leading the rally with more than 64 lakh trees. Other major departments involved in this exercise are panchayatiraj, education and local bodies among others.
“This is the land of Maa Amrita Devi who laid down her life along with 363 people for conservation of environment. We are committed to conservation and protection of environment. This Van Mahotsav is a ray of hope towards conservation. Monsoon is the way time for planting as trees grow rapidly during this time,” he said.
Bhajan Lal Sharma said that the government will set up 50 new nurseries besides refurbishing the existing 540 nurseries across the state.
“The government will spend Rs 175 crore for creating urban green lungs in cities so that people can lead healthy lives under green cover,” he said.
One tree in name of Mother – now a public campaign
Bhajan Lal Sharma said that the programme – One Tree in the name of mother – launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Environment Day – has become a public campaign.
“Now everyone is planting tree to give respect to his mother. I call upon people to pledge a tree in the name of mother. Everyone should come for war for this noble mission,” he said.
He said that the government will ensure protection and care of the plantation.
“We will make plants and requisite technologies available to different departments, NGOs, panchayats, urban bodies and public for wider participation of people,” he said.
Every district to have Matri Van
On the lines of Smriti Van, every district will have Matri Van. Each Matri Avan will have different varies of plants including Bad, Peepal, Goolar, Makhan Katori and Pilkhan among others. The government will distribute 51 lakh appreciation letters to environment lovers through Raj Geo Tree App.
“We will also appoint 2,000 “Tree Friends” from among retired officials who will take care of plants,” Sharma said.
On the occasion senior officials of Rajasthan government – chief secretary Sudhansh Pant, director general police U R Sahoo, additional chief secretary water resources Abhay Kumar, additional chief secretary forest and environment Aparna Arora, additional chief secretary to chief minister Shikhar Agrawal and head of forest force (Hoff) Arijit Banerjee – were present.
Prakash Bhandari is a veteran journalist with over 50 years of experience. He has worked with The Times of India for 30 years and contributed to leading publications as well as international news agency AFP.
