Haryana launches afforestation drive

Chandigarh, June 21 (UNI) The Haryana government is carrying out afforestation work at several places in the state facing desert conditions.

The scheme 'Afforestation of Special Sites, Desert Control' is being implemented in the districts of Bhiwani, Hisar, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Rewari, Mahendergarh, Jhajjar and Rohtak, an official spokesman said.

He said the desert conditions prevailed in these districts due to scanty rainfall. The extreme climate generally remained dry during most part of the year in these areas.

Similarly the area affected by wind erosion constituted nearly 20 per cent of the total area of the state, he added.

He said that realizing the importance of afforestaion as a conservation strategy to check the problem of erosion, the state Government had launched this scheme to raise shelterbelts and wind breaks along Rail, Roads, Canals and undertake afforestation of these sites.

Due to the improved conditions now, it was possible to grow more economical plant species at many places in the state, he added.

UNI