Haryana Minister exhorts people to plant saplings

Haryana Forest Minister Rao Narbir Singh today exhorted the people to plant maximum saplings during the 67th Van Mohotsav in the state from July 15 as forests play a vital role in reducing the impact of global warming and climate change.
Apart from planting saplings, it is equally important to ensure their upkeep, he said.
Singh said Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar would be the chief guest at the state level Van Mohotsav programme to be organised in the village of Budhpur in Rewari district.
During the Van Mohotsav programme, sapling will be planted on both sides of the National Highways passing through the state, Singh said.

An agreement has been signed with the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for the purpose, he added.
The minister said besides the Forest Department, panchayats, institutions and social organizations should also come forward in planting saplings on vacant government and panchayat lands.

Several places have been identified across the state where forest area will be increased by doing plantation.
He expressed concern that the area under forest cover had been reduced as a result of rapid urbanisation, widening of roads and doubling of the railway tracks. Trees would be axed only where it is important to do so.

The minister urged the people to plant sapling on different occasions like birthdays, marriages, anniversaries and festivals to make them more memorable.
Reducing the number of trees and plants not only led to outbreak of different kinds of diseases but also diminished the ground water level, he added.
A unique scheme 'Har Ghar Hariyali-Haryana Ki Khushyali' was launched in the state on the occasion of Van Mohotsav last year with a view to make every house green, he said.
Under the scheme, people are encouraged to plant maximum saplings in both rural and urban areas.