Haryana to launch tree plantation drive

Chandigarh, Aug 28 (UNI) Haryana would launch a massive drive of tree plantation on August 31 in which 1000 schools of all the districts of the state would participate.

Stating this today, State Minister for Forests and Tourism Kiran Choudhry said the objective for launching this drive was to sensitise the teachers about the issues concerning environment and forestry.

The Minister said saplings of shady and ornamental trees would be planted by the school teachers to celebrate Van Mahotsav.

She said the teachers would further communicate with students and would arouse interest in the young minds towards trees and their vital role in correcting ecological imbalance.

She said the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in each district would select 50 schools in consultation with the District Education Officer. DFO would also make all necessary arrangements for digging of pits and transportation of saplings at sites in the selected schools, she added.

Ms Choudhry said the publicity material, literature and posters on forestry, environment pollution, global warming would be made available to the schools for display and distribution among teachers and students.

She said the drive was being launched in pursuance of the objectives of the State Forest Policy to enhance the tree cover from the present 6.63 per cent to 10 per cent by the year 2010 by the state government.

UNI