Eight crore saplings to be planted in K'taka by Sept

Bijapur, Karnataka, Aug 3 (UNI) The Karnataka Government has envisaged to plant eight crore saplings in the State before September this year, Forests Minister C Chennigappa informed today.

Addressing a press conference here, he said the State Government had earmarked Rs 320 crore for afforestation programme this year.

Mr Chennigappa said the State Government had appealed to the Union Government to announce a national policy on mining.

He said a Special Committee, entrusted with the task of surveying mining operations in various parts of the State, had found 300 mines out of the 423 surveyed indulging in illegal mining. The Forest department officials have collected Rs 3.50 crore as penalty from 28 mining operators guilty of illegal mining.

UNI XR-MV GD TS1851