Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], July 21 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has said that planting saplings is important but ensuring their survival through proper care and maintenance is even more crucial. He said Van Mahotsav should not remain confined to plantation drives alone but should evolve into a mass movement with active public participation to strengthen environmental conservation and enhance green cover across the state.
The Chief Minister was chairing a review meeting in Chandigarh on Tuesday to assess preparations for the upcoming Van Mahotsav.
During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forest and Wildlife Department, Sudhir Rajpal informed that a target of planting 1.40 crore saplings has been set across Haryana under this year's Van Mahotsav campaign.
Suitable locations have already been identified for plantation. Of the total target, the Forest Department will plant 1.10 crore saplings at around 3,400 locations, while various other departments will plant 30 lakh saplings at nearly 900 locations.
Officials informed that Van Mahotsav will be organised in four phases, with plantation drives scheduled for July 30, August 7, August 14 and August 21. Specific responsibilities have been assigned to different departments for each phase. The meeting also discussed the detailed framework for the state-level Van Mahotsav programme.
The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure active participation of social and religious organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the general public in the campaign. The meeting also reviewed the progress of the Oxy-Zone project. He further instructed the Forest Department to prepare a comprehensive action plan for the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0" campaign.
According to a release, Saini said Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) should play a leading role in the campaign by undertaking large-scale plantation drives across cities.
He directed that saplings in urban areas should be planted with tree guards to ensure their protection. He also instructed that suitable shade-giving tree species with controlled height should be selected for plantation along roadsides, keeping in view the requirements of urban areas. In addition, plantation should be undertaken at major intersections and public spaces to enhance both greenery and the aesthetic appeal of cities.
The Chief Minister also directed that village entry points should be beautified through extensive plantation. He further instructed that a special plantation drive should be organised during the proposed marathon in Yamunanagar.
Officials informed the meeting that all saplings planted during this year's campaign would be geo-tagged to enable regular monitoring and ensure their proper maintenance.
The Chief Minister directed Urban Local Bodies to coordinate with Ward Committees and encourage them to actively participate in the maintenance of planted saplings. He also instructed that the Education Department, school students, School Management Committees (SMCs) and parents should be associated with the campaign to create widespread public awareness about environmental conservation.
He said MLAs, Ministers and other public representatives would also participate in plantation drives and motivate people to become part of the campaign. The Chief Minister further directed every department to ensure regular maintenance of the planted saplings so that they survive and provide long-term environmental benefits.