Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Saturday said a 'Green Spiti' mission would be launched for the Spiti Valley to increase forest cover to overcome water shortage.
"We are well aware of the water scarcity problem in the Spiti area. A Desert Development Programme was launched in the valley in 1977-78 to take up forestation and increase the green cover," he said at a public function in Kaza in the Lahaul-Spiti district.
He said the Forest Department would now be given the task of planting saplings. The government would keep a separate budgetary provision for the plantation programme.
A 'Green Spiti' mission would be started, he said, adding that he "wants to see Spiti adorned in green cover in times to come".
He announced that a government degree college will be opened at Kaza, the headquarters of Spiti which is about 320 km from the state capital Shimla.
"Since the youth from Kaza have to go to either to Rekong Peo or Rampur to pursue higher studies, it becomes difficult for them, especially for girls to go far from home," he said.
The Chief Minister dedicated development projects and announced a community centre to be opened at Kibber village, and a bailey bridge at Losar and channelisation of a rivulet at Losar.
--IANS
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