Himachal Pradesh to plant one crore saplings to increase green cover

In Indian Affairs
August 9, 2016

Himachal Pradesh government has set a target of planting over one crore saplings this year to increase the depleting green cover in the state.
Himachal Pradesh was the first state in country to earn carbon credit. Accordingly, a sum of Rs. 1.93 crore has been received from the central government as the first installment, which was distributed to self-help groups,

As per a report released by the Indian Institute of Forest Surveys, in Dehradun, there has been an increase of 13 Sq Km in forest area due to the efforts of the government and high survival rates of new plantations,

Supplementing the efforts of the government, the schools would participate in plantation drive across the state on the eve of International Youth Day on August 12.

This year, new plantations would be raised over 15,000 hectare area at a cost of Rs. 150 crore. The state has set a target of planting one crore saplings on 15,000 hectares of forest land by spending Rs. 150 crore.

The state government has chalked out a new policy for this year which envisaged plantation of one lakh saplings of shahtoot (mulberry), jamun (Jambolan), saru (Cypress), sheesham, spheda (Ceruse), piple, deodar and neem had been planted through MGNREGS.

The maintenance period in plantation areas has been enhanced from three to five years to ensure survival percentage of plants and RCC fencing is being encouraged for preventing deforestation.
In order to provide relief to the farmers from weeds, especially ‘lantana’ a provision of Rs. 16.07 crore has been made this year.

National Park in Himachal pradesh