DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Placing special focus on the plantation to be carried out in the State, the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak during a review meeting at forest Complex in Sector 68 emphasized proper upkeep and maintenance of the same.

The Minister was apprised that around 60 Lakh saplings would be planted under the various schemes of the department. The plantation in the State would commence from July 1st this year.

Also, 382 Nanak Bagichis and 52 Pavittar Van are to be planted this year besides carrying out institutional plantation in 331 hectares.

About plantation around the tubewells, the Minister was informed that out of the 13.66 Lakh tubewells in the State, saplings have been planted around 94 percent of these.

The Minister appreciated that exceptional plantation work has been undertaken on the Chandigarh - Phagwara road by the department and exhorted the officers to concentrate on replicating the same on Ludhiana - Chandigarh road also. Besides, the Minister also directed that the dead plants should be removed from wherever they have been planted and replaced with the fresh saplings. Wherever the plantation has been done, it must be visible, added Mr. Kataruchak.

The Minister also directed the officers to ensure timely completion of all the ongoing schemes and ensure participation of the people in plantation schemes.

Among others present on the occasion included the Secretary of Forests & Wildlife Preservation Department Priyank Bharti, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of the Forest Force) Dharminder Sharma, APCCF cum CEO PUNCAMPA Saurav Gupta, APCCF (Administration) Basanta Raj Kumar, CCF (Hills) Nidhi Srivastava, CCF Wildlife Sagar Setia, CF Shivalik Circle Mr. Kannan, and DFO Mohali Kanwardeep Singh and other DFOs.

(editor@dailyworld.in)