UP launches massive afforestation drive

Lucknow, Aug 16: The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a massive plantation drive to raise the forest cover in the state to mark the 59th anniversary of India's independence.

The plantation drive would cover 750 acres of land in 68 districts.

Barring two districts of Bijnour and Sidharthnagar, all 68 districts launched the programme yesterday in at least 10 acres of land.

''It is a unique scheme in the country and for the first time the district authorities have taken keen interest in the plantation which certainly controls the environment of the region,'' claimed state chief secretary Naveen Chandra Bajpai here today.

The state government also announced to repeat the scheme again on September 5 on the occasion of 'Teachers' Day' when all districts would be asked to identify at least 10 acres of land for plantation. Besides all schools, students and teachers would be asked to take active part in the plantation drive on that day.

Mr Bajpai said more than 2.18 lakh plants of over 8 feet height were planted in 750 acres of land in the districts. The exercise could not take place in Bijnore and Siddharthnagar due to administrative hiccups.

This time orders were issued only to plant saplings of eight over 8 feet so that there was less maintainence, problem the CS said, adding, that 15 categories of plants including Peepal, Neem, Gulmohar, Sesham, Arjun, Bargadh, Kanak Champa and Aam were selected for the scheme.

He said as per rules, about 300 trees are been planted in a hectare of land with one tree costing around Rs 48.

Talking about the government's serious concern on the decrease of forest cover in the state, the CS said at present the cover is only around 4.4 per cent against the ideal percentage of 33. ''Lack of forestry results in scanty rainfall and non-drainage of rain water to the underground level.

'' In the constitution also there are provision under Article 48(A) and 51(C-G) directing the state and the individual to plant trees and to conserve and protect the forest area'', he added.

In the state capital, yesterday chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav had inaugurated India's biggest urban forest spread over in 101 acres of land.

The forest would have 101 varieties of plants and trees of Indian and foreign origin besides a natural lake spread over 21 acres.

UNI