70 hectares to be covered under plantation drive in Dharamshala Forest Division

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Women and youth groups to receive incentives of up to Rs 1 lakh for ensuring over 50% sapling survival

Dharamshala , August 25

The Dharamshala Forest Division has intensified its plantation drive during the monsoon season, carrying out plantation activities across different areas under various government schemes.

DFO Dharamshala Amit Sharma said around 80,000 saplings have been planted over nearly 70 hectares under compensatory afforestation this year. In addition, nearly one lakh saplings have been planted over 103 hectares under the NPV scheme across different areas of the Shahpur, Kangra and Dharamshala sub-divisions.

Sharma said the Dharamshala Forest Division has been allocated 70 hectares this year under the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana. Plantation under the scheme will be undertaken through Mahila Mandals, Yuvak Mandals and Self-Help Groups.

He said the scheme is incentive-based, under which the participating groups can receive up to Rs 1 lakh. If more than 50 percent of the saplings planted by a group are found to be alive after one year, the concerned Mahila Mandal, Yuvak Mandal or Self-Help Group will be eligible for an incentive of up to Rs 1 lakh in the following year.

The DFO said 28 hectares were covered under the scheme last year. The Forest Department is also organising Van Mahotsav programs and constituency-wise plantation drives as part of its efforts to increase the green cover.

Sharma said a ‘Vrikshabandhan’ program will be organised at Satobari on the evening of August 27. During the program, saplings will be planted, and rakhis will be tied to them as a symbolic pledge to protect and nurture the trees.

Families of Forest Department personnel and media representatives will also participate in the program.