The Punjab Cabinet on Monday gave approval for a massive plantation drive on the vacant land available in rural and urban areas of the state.
A corpus "Greening Punjab Fund" would be created to make the entire state clean, green and pollution-free in a phased manner, a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal in Chandigarh has decided, an official spokesman said.
Under this ambitious programme, trees and plants of different species would be planted across the state and the entire programme would be funded through the corpus, created from the funds contributed by the various boards, corporations, authorities and departments.
Even the private sector and corporates would contribute for this scheme under the clause of corporate social responsibility (CSR) enshrined in the Companies Act. A society, trust or company would be constituted under the chief minister for this purpose.
The plantation drive would be undertaken on the lands owned by government departments, institutions, panchayats, trusts, clubs, focal points, markets, cremation grounds besides land in the vicinity of police lines, stations and jails, educational and medical institutions as well as institutions of the Union government, he said.
Apart from carrying out extensive plantation drive, these institutions would also be required to ensure upkeep and maintenance of these trees at least for five years.
{{/usCountry}}Apart from carrying out extensive plantation drive, these institutions would also be required to ensure upkeep and maintenance of these trees at least for five years.
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