Forest department to plant one million saplings across Haryana

The forest department has identified several locations to plant a million saplings ahead of the monsoon. Divya Sethi reports.

The forest department has identified several locations to plant a million saplings ahead of the monsoon. The areas include green belts in urban spaces, Aravalli hills and some water bodies.

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The plan also aims to contain the expanding desert topography from Rajasthan into Gurgaon. The department will work jointly with NGOs and private companies to carry out the massive plantation drive.

The department hopes that this year residents can see a genuine green city. Over the years, the city's infrastructure plan has sacrificed a lot of green cover. At least nine lakh saplings will be planted in Gurgaon alone before the monsoon.

According to the department, the number of trees in Gurgaon has fallen from three lakh in 1999 to 1,32,000 in 2011. Forest land has also been reduced from 9,508 hectares to 9,268 hectares.

Although residents need to be convinced about the plan, considering how forest cover has reduced sharply in recent years, the forest department is serious about improving the situation this time. “We know forest cover is depleting, and we will compensate the loss. We will plant 75 lakh sapling across Haryana and at least 10 lakh saplings in Gurgaon,” said K C Meena, conservator, district forest department.

Saplings to be sold

Saplings, which were given for free in the past, will be sold for the first time this year. The forest department will join hands with NGOs, students and especially farmers to spread awareness.

“It is easy and effective to spread awareness through school students. They are the country's future. If we succeed in persuading the environment, I think we will see a better future,” said Meena.

According to the department, the desert topography in Rajasthan is expanding. This is the reason why the department will plant at least 1,10,000 trees across the state, with heavy emphasis in the Aravalli hills.

NGO ‘I am Gurgaon’ and other welfare bodies, along with Huda and MCG, also plan to start the 'Million Tree Gurgaon Project'.