Mizoram govt initiates tree planting programme

Aizawl, May 23 : The Mizoram government has initiated 'sponsored tree planting' programme to increase bio-diversity across the region.

Under the pilot project supervised by state-level committee on 'Green Mizoram', any person can plant a tree in memory of dear ones or an event. The tree can also be planted as an advertisement.

The committee has identified about 20 tree plantation areas across the region.

The sponsorship can be obtained with minimum payment of Rs 1000 for each tree from the state Environment and Forest (E&F) department.

The committee, under chief minister Zoramthanga's chairmanship, also initiated a tree planting drive all over the state on June 9.

The committee said low lying areas and valleys should be set aside for farming and horticulture purposes, while land in the higher altitudes should be reserved for afforestation.

The E&F department officials said at present they have about 3,00,000 saplings that can be planted for these programmes.

UNI