Raipur, India: The Forest Department will conduct the plantation and distribution of 2 crore 91 lakh 20 thousand saplings on a large scale for the spread of greenery and forest cover in Chhattisgarh during the Monsoon this year. In accordance with the intention of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, the department is prioritizing plantation of fruit-bearing trees under extensive plantation. Under the guidance of the Minister of Forest and Climate Change, Mohammad Akbar, the Forest Department’s preparations for this project are in full swing.
In this regard, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, V. Srinivasa Rao has said that under the departmental scheme, plantations of 64 lakh 64 thousand saplings on 7065 hectares and 20 Km; 90 thousand 800 saplings on 70 hectares and 60 Km under MGNREGA; 22 lakh 27 thousand saplings on 4016 hectares under CAMPA; and 2 lakh saplings on 80 hectares of land under other schemes will be carried out in the state.
It is noteworthy that the 59 lakh 76 fruit-bearing trees that will be planted include mango, jamun, bel, jackfruit, Munga, custard apple, papaya, pomegranate, lemon, mulberry, almond, Tendu, Ganga Tamarind, lychee, etc. Similarly, the 67 lakh 49 thousand minor forest produce and medicinal plants that will be planted include species like Putrajiva, Kala Sirus, Sindoori, Garud, Reetha, Chitrak, Aloe Vera, Giloy, Adusa, Ashwagandha, Sarpagandha, Tulsi, etc. Moreover, the plantation and distribution of 30 lakh 42 thousand bamboo plants will also be undertaken.
Under plantation by river banks, which is one of the priorities of Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, the Forest Department will plant nearly 3 lakh 46 thousand saplings on 410 hectares and 10 km. of land at the banks of Hasdeo, Gagar, Banki, Badhura, Banas, Jamadh, Mahanadi, Shivnath, and Kharun rivers during the coming monsoon season. This will not only prevent soil erosion, but also fulfill various needs of local citizens, including the provision of shade and fruits.
In view of the expansion of greenery on the roads of the state, the department will undertake plantation of 43 thousand trees along a 45 Km. long road. This extensive plantation will not only be conducted in forest regions, but also on private and government lands outside forest areas like Anganwadi, Police stations, parks, hospitals, Gauthan, cemeteries, government premises, etc.
Under the guidance and instructions of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and the Minister of the Department of Forests and Climate Change Mohammad Akbar, the state government has launched the Mukhyamantri Vriksh Samapada Yojana this year as a unique initiative of the department. The objectives of the scheme are: ensuring the plantation of commercial plant species on the private land of farmers and other beneficiaries, ensuring the purchase of said plant species in the case of participation of cooperative institutions and private companies, increasing the income of the farmers/beneficiaries by determining the minimum purchase price for selected species, increasing the revenue of the government in the form of additional tax by promoting wood and plywood-based industries, generating employment opportunities, and decreasing the financial burden of the government by ensuring the participation of cooperative institutions in plantation work.
Under the Mukhyamantri Vriksh Sampada Yojana, the Forest Department will conduct plantations of 2 crore 13 lakh 32 thousand 300 saplings will be undertaken on 33800 acres of private lands of 21640 farmers, including the plantation of 2 lakh 84 saplings of clonal bamboo on 662 hectares of land and 2 lakh 98 thousand saplings of bamboo on 663 hectares of land. With the joint efforts of the Forest Department, various institutions, and the public, extensive tree plantations will be done throughout the state during the Monsoon. This will also generate additional income from the sale of forest produce. It will also ensure the fulfillment of forest-based personal needs of the citizens.
