Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said the state government will introduce 'State Vriksh Mitra Award' for those doing outstanding works towards increasing the forest cover in the state.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the 67th state-level Van Mahotsava celebrations at Budhpur village in Rewari district, said an official release.
Another scheme 'Har Gaon Pedon Ki Chhanv' is being launched for rehabilitation of traditional trees like Jal, Rohera, France, Jand and others, he said.
"Our ancestors had given us a gift of clean environment and it is our responsibility that each one of us plant trees in order to make 'Har Ghar Hariyali Yojana' plantation scheme of the state, a grand success," he said.
Under the scheme, 2.88 lakh saplings have been planted throughout the state today.
He said the Forest Department is formulating schemes to conserve wildlife species which are vanishing and Haryana is the first state to undertake vulture conservation at a centre.
He said the Forest Department has chosen 'Van Vridhi Jal Smridhi' as the core theme for the activities to be implemented during 2016-2017 to increase forest cover.
State Forest Minister said the government is creating earthen water harvesting-cum-silt retention dams in Shiwaliks and Aravallis for the conservation of soil and water and improve the ecology of the area.
Meanwhile, Khattar expressed concerns over the pilgrims from the state who have gone for Amarnath yatra and are stranded there.
After a function in Rohtak, he said all efforts were being made for return of about 4,000 to 5,000 pilgrims and he has spoken to J&K's Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh over it.
Khattar said so far, 21 sportspersons from Haryana have qualified for Rio Olympics. He wished them good luck and expressed hope they would give excellent performance and bring laurels to the state and the country.
He said all participants and medal winners in the Olympics would be honoured.
On Swachh Bharat and Swachh Haryana campaign, he said it has been decided to give awards to villages and wards of municipalities, municipal councils and municipal corporations for their outstanding performance in maintaining sanitation.
On Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, he claimed the sex ratio has crossed the 900 mark as a result of the efforts of Education, Health and Women and Child Development Departments.
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Khattar said 'Haryana Safai Karamchari Ayog' will look after the interests of Safai Karamcharis and work for their betterment.
Speaking at the function organised on the eve of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti here, he said efforts would be made to ensure that 50 per cent Safai contracts (for cleanliness) were given to the people belonging to 'Valmiki Community'.
He also announced construction of Valmiki Bhawans in Ambala and Karnal and Balmiki Bhawan on behalf of Union Minister for Steel Birender Singh in Narwana.
He also announced an award after the name of Dayanad Mayana, a freedom fighter of the Valmiki Community and said the new sports stadium in sector-9 here would be named after Eklavya.
Congratulating people on the eve of the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki, the Chief Minister exhorted the people to take inspiration from his life.
Khattar said the BJP government in the state, which is completing two years in office on October 26, will during its third year, focus on creating maximum job opportunities for the youth in both government and private sectors and also through skill development make them self-employed.
Referring to the demand of Singh, who was also present on the occasion, the Chief Minister assured that the state government would get the proposal examined regarding reducing the age limit of SC beneficiaries of old age allowance from 60 years to 55.
He said the government is working to make the Haryana kerosene free state.
"It is matter of pride that eight districts would become kerosene free by November 1 and by March 31, 2017 all remaining districts of the state would achieve this feat," he said.
Khattar said the Haryana Housing Board has constructed and allotted 87,000 houses, including 65,000 for the economically weaker sections.
Apart from this, 13,000 houses are under construction of which 5,000 houses would be allotted before December 31, he informed.
Earlier, speaking on this occasion, Singh urged the people belonging to Scheduled Castes to "remain united and not to be misguided by those having vested interests".
Without naming any party, he said during the last 60 years, a party made tall claims for their welfare "but did nothing for them".
