Govt is committed to protect and conserve trees aged more than 75 years: Kanwar Pal

Published on: 21 Jun 2023 at 12:27 PM

Published by: thefactnews

The Fact News Service

Chandigarh, June 21

Haryana Forest and Environment Minister, Kanwar Pal said that the state government is committed to protect and conserve the trees aged more than 75 years having immense ecological and environmental value.

Taking strong initiative towards this direction the Haryana Government has launched “The Haryana Pran Vaayu Devta Pension Scheme” which will remain operative for a period of five years. He said that in order to inculcate a sense for protection of old aged trees among people this initiative has been taken.

Kanwar Pal informed that for maintenance of Pran Vaayu Devta Tree the State Government will award an annual pension of Rs. 2,500/- to the custodian of the tree and this amount shall be deposited in his bank account. The pension of the tree will increase every year at rates pro-rata to the increase in the Old Age Samman Pension Scheme for people in the state.

Giving more information in this regard, Kanwar Pal said that trees aged more than 75 years shall only be eligible under this scheme, fallen, hollow, dead, dry and diseased trees shall not be eligible.

He said that the Grove of trees originating from one seedling like as in Ficusbengalensis will be considered to be one tree. Maximum number of trees covered under the scheme shall not be more than four thousand till the next review after five years and trees standing on Forest lands will not be covered under this scheme, he added.

Kanwar Pal said that Pran Vaayu Devta Tree Conservation Committee shall identify, map and make inventory through a systematic census.

He informed that the Divisional Forest Officer will be the Chairman of the committee, Representative of Dy. Commissioner, Representative of Panchayat/ Municipal Body Member, Representative of Haryana State Bio-diversity Board will be members of the committee and Range Forest Officers Member Secretary for respective Forest Range. The Committee shall regularly monitor the health of Pran Vaayu Devta Tree after every six months, he added.

Minister said that people have experienced the need for oxygen during the pandemic. It is everyone’s responsibility to protect and preserve trees, which is the precious gift given to us by nature.