Forest expansion: Himachal launches massive plantation campaign

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government, in its landmark decision, has decided to plant around 9,000 hectares of forest in 2025. Among them, 60% of the seedlings are likely to be fruit-bearing, stated Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recently during the inauguration of the 76th state-level Van Mahotsav at Kanlog in Shimla.

With the launch of the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojna, CM Sukhu planted a deodar sapling; the plantation drive will take place across the state. Sukhu also interacted virtually with ministers and MLAs and discussed forest conservation and afforestation procedures. Sukhu further added that the government has been focusing on the protection of the state’s rich biodiversity. This initiative is expected to help Himachal to expand its forest cover to 30 per cent by 2030.

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The goal of the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojna is to promote forest expansion in the state in which the public are encouraged to take part to strengthen the rural economy. Under this scheme, mahila mandals, youth groups, self-help groups, and joint forest committees will have the duty to plant and maintain seedlings on one to five hectares of selected forest land for five years. The government has allocated a budget of Rs 100 crore for the scheme, aiming to enhance forest cover all over the state.