The North News
Chandigarh, December 8
Punjab has planted more than 1.25 million saplings across the state this year as part of its Greening Punjab Mission, the government said on Monday. The initiative aims to expand forest and tree cover through a mix of urban forestry, agroforestry and community-led plantation drives.
Sharing details, Punjab Minister Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the saplings have been planted under a range of state schemes. These include 331,000 trees planted under urban forestry projects and along institutional land, as well as single-row plantations in farmers’ fields under agroforestry. Another 250,000 poplar and drek saplings and 300,000 eucalyptus trees were planted across various districts. Officials said 20,800 saplings were planted under Pavittar Van and Nanak Bagichi projects, which involve developing protected green spaces with barbed-wire fencing. Industrial units accounted for 46,500 saplings, while schools carried out plantation of about 144,500 saplings. The department also reported planting nearly 163,000 tall plants to accelerate canopy development.
The government said the mission’s objectives include increasing green cover on all available land, developing nurseries, boosting public awareness on environmental conservation, protecting new plantations and establishing forest-awareness parks. The department is also expanding research and training activities to support long-term forest management.
