Haryana to spend Rs 300 cr on forestry-related scheme

Chandigarh, Sep 20 (UNI) The Haryana government would spend Rs 286 crore in collaboration with a foreign bank for poverty alleviation programme related to forestry in 800 villages of the state.

This was stated by State Minister for Forests and Tourism Kiran Choudhry while talking reporters at Pipli in Kurukshetra district today.

She said the Haryana Forest Department had selected 1100 villages for tree plantation on a massive scale with the help of self-help groups.

Stressing the need for women empowerment, she said the land and plants would be provided by the Forest Department to the women for setting up nurseries. This way they would be able to sell plants from their plantation and augment the family income, she added.

The Minister said that in order to preserve the environment about nine crore saplings were planted last year. This year the target to plant 4.5 crore saplings in the state had already been achieved.

She said in order to create environmental awareness among the students, Van Mohotasava had been organised in 50 schools of each district and this campaign would also be launched in 1000 more schools.

Ms Choudhry said timber markets were being set up in collaboration with Haryana State Agricultural Marketting Board to help the farmers get remunerative prices for their wood.

She said in order to encourage water conservation, 28 dams, along with Shivalik Hills would be developed so that the water level of the area could be increased.

Elephant Rehabilitation Centres would be set up at Kalesar and Yamunagar districts and the zoos at Rohtak, Bhiwani and Pipli would be upgraded soon, she added.

UNI