With high demand of saplings, Forest department revises targets from 11 lakh to 15 lakh in Ludhiana
– Demand of 8.58 lakh saplings by govt departments and rest by public
– FC Forest Krishan Kumar reviews plantation drive in Ludhiana
Ludhiana, 6 July 2024 : With the high demand of saplings in Ludhiana, the forests department is set to surpass the target of planting 11 lakh saplings in this monsoon and revised target to 15 lakh saplings. Against the proposed demand of 3.5 lakh saplings by government departments, the forest officials have received the demand of 8.58 lakh saplings of which they have supplied above 3 lakh saplings so far till July 5. These saplings are being given free of cost to the government departments while people can purchase them at very nominal price.
According to the forest department, to meet the high demand , they have sufficient quantity of 19 lakh saplings of native species such as Jamun, Arjun, Amrood, Amla, Kikkar, Amaltas, Gulmohar, Semul, Tahli, and Neem across 24 nurseries in the Ludhiana circle.
Meanwhile on Saturday, Financial Commissioner (Forests) Krishan Kumar IAS reviewed the ongoing plantation drive in Ludhiana and issued directions to the officials to ensure the proper plantation and upkeep of the saplings for the sake of future generations. The officials from panchayats, education, revenue, MC, PAU and others detailed the Financial Commissioner (Forests) about the ongoing mass plantation drive under the Wake Up Ludhiana mission.
Financial Commissioner (Forests) Krishan Kumar mentioned that plantation target for Punjab is 1.78 crore saplings in this monsoon. He stated that Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is giving topmost priority to the environment conservation and the officials must strive hard to achive their targets.
Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development) Anmol Singh Dhaliwal spoke about Wake Up Ludhiana mission and stated that 30 Nanak Bagichis are also being developed where 500 saplings will be planted on one acre of land. Further, the saplings are being planted on Panchayati lands, around village ponds, along roadsides, and on the premises of educational institutions, healthcare centres, and other departmental vacant lands.
For awareness on environment sustainability, Dhaliwal added that the administration had also launched a photography competition called “Capture Ludhiana: Moments of Green” on June 15 to raise awareness about environmental conservation among citizens. Participants are sending their entries for the photography competition event via email to wakeupludhiana365@gmail.com with the subject line “Wake up Ludhiana Photography Competition”. The deadline for submitting entries is July 15, 2024. Certificates and cash prizes will be awarded to the top 3 winners by the Deputy Commissioner. In addition, a ‘Green Hackathon’ has also been started in which people have to identify environmental issues in their localities and propose effective measures to address them. If their suggestions are deemed actionable and results-oriented, the administration will honour and implement their ideas.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Saurabh Gupta, IFS, APCCF Punjab, Conservator K Kanan, IFS, Ajit Kulkarni , IFS, DFO Rajesh Gulati, and others.
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