HP to ban felling of mango trees, says CM

Kullu, Jun 18 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said his government was considering a proposal to ban felling of mango trees and other fruit trees to make the state ''fruit bowl of the country''.

Himachal has diverse climatic conditions suitable to grow different types of fruits and this should be utilised to make the state the fruit state of the country, he said, while addressing a gathering at Government High School Chowai in Kullu district, here.

Mr Singh said horticulture, floriculture and sericulture were also being encouraged in the state and would fetch remunerative prices for the farmers.

Emphasized the need to diversify the traditional cropping pattern and adopt alternate farming system, he said the farmers could make additional income for their families this way.

He said that road network in Ani and outer Seraj area would be strengthened to increase connectivity in the district, adding that more link roads would be constructed in the area.

The chief minister also announced the upgradation of Government High School Chowai to Senior Secondary School.

UNI AS DP MP PM2000