The Fact News Service
Ludhiana, June 8
In a step aimed at providing green lungs to district Ludhiana through afforestation, the district administration has decided to start a special drive for planting 1.5 lakh tree saplings across the district from next month and fixed targets for every department.
A meeting was held at Bachat Bhawan, where Additional Deputy Commissioner (RD) Anmol Singh Dhaliwal, along with South Circle Conservator of Forest Ajit Kulkarni, IFS, and DFO Rajesh Kumar, discussed the plan with department heads.
Dhaliwal said that with the advent of monsoon season, the administration has planned to kick off this drive to increase the area under forest cover. He said that these saplings would be planted on Panchayati land, the strips around village ponds, on sides of the roads, educational institutes, health care centres and every department on their vacant lands for enhancing the green cover. He asked the heads to appoint nodal officers in their departments to ensure proper plantation and upkeep of the saplings. He added that every department must take keen personal interest in achieving the target. He also underscored the important role that trees play in preserving the environment, improving air quality, conserving water and soil health and said that the youth must become ambassadors of environmental conservation to make ‘Green and Clean Ludhiana”.
South Circle Conservator of Forests Ajit Kulkarni stressed the need for such campaigns to combat environmental pollution, and mentioned that individuals can receive free saplings from the forest department through the i-Hariyali app. Site-specific plants that are well-suited to the local environment will be given special focus.
DFO Rajesh Kumar mentioned the establishment of a “Nanak Bagichi” where 500 saplings will be planted in one acre in the Ludhiana. He also highlighted the availability of 19 lakh saplings of native species Jamun, Arjun, Amrood, Amla, Kikkar, Amaltas, Gulmohar, semul, Tahli, Neem are available in 24 nurseries in Ludhiana circle.
The department heads were encouraged to support this cause by planting and maintaining at least one sapling for the benefit of future generations.
