Haryana forest and environment minister Capt Ajay Singh Yadav on Thursday said that during the present financial year, the forest department has set a target to plant five crore saplings in the state.
Out of these, 2.12 crore saplings will be planted by the forest department and 2.88 crore saplings will be distributed free of cost in the state.
Capt Yadav, who was addressing a meeting of officers of the forest department, said during the past six years, 34 crore saplings have been planted and still a large area in the state is vacant.
He said it is also necessary to protect the saplings which have been planted. Laying emphasis on afforestation in urban areas, he said tree guards should be installed to protect plants from stray animals. He said new roads in the state should be identified and saplings should be planted along them.