Haryana Government Launches Forest Mitra Scheme to Encourage Tree Plantation

Under the scheme, Forest Mitra will get an incentive amount based on plant maintenance.

The Haryana Forest Mitra Scheme has been launched. Under this scheme, the government is appointing Forest Mitra (Friends of the Forest). Officials must map plants in forest areas using drones. If there is a delay in putting out a forest fire, responsibility will be fixed from the forest guard to higher officials.

A review meeting of the forest and wildlife department was held on Monday in Chandigarh. During this meeting, the 'Forest Mitra' scheme was launched. This scheme is important for promoting community participation in tree plantation works. CM Nayab Singh Saini gave instructions in this regard.

The 'Forest Mitra' scheme was launched to promote community participation in tree plantation activities. The brochure of the 'Pran Vayu Devta Scheme' was also released at the event. Sanjay Singh, the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Wildlife, was present at the event.

Under the scheme, Forest Mitra will get an incentive amount based on plant maintenance. Each Forest Mitra can plant up to 1,000 plants. The scheme and its associated portal aim to promote community participation in afforestation efforts, targeting non-forest areas across the state.

The scheme invites members of families with an annual income of less than Rs 1.80 lakh to participate. Eligible individuals between 18 to 60 years can register to become a Forest Mitra. They will contribute to the state's afforestation efforts.

Participants will receive monetary incentives based on plant maintenance. Each Forest Mitra can plant up to 1,000 saplings. In the first year, participants will get Rs 20 for each prepared pit verified through geo-tagging and photograph upload.

This will be followed by Rs 30 for each sapling planted. Additional payments at varying rates will be given for ongoing maintenance and protection of the plants over the next three years.