Himachal to plant 1 crore saplings

Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh), July 12: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Tuesday launched the 67th state-level Van Mahotsav or sapling plantation in which more than one crore saplings would be planted this year, an official said.

The chief minister planted a sapling at Samoh near Gherwin in Bilaspur district.

Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri presided over the function.

A target to plant one crore saplings of various species has been fixed this year on 15,000 hectares. Besides, 35 lakh medicinal plants would also be planted during this period, a government spokesperson said.

According to a Forest Survey of India report, out of the state's geographical area of 55,673 sq km, 3,224 sq km is under very dense forests, 6,381 sq km under moderately dense forests and 5,074 sq km under open forests.

IANS