Initiating steps for ‘Greener Odisha’! Drive for boosting green cover in Fani-hit cities of state
Total Views |
Bhubaneshwar, Aug. 22: Cyclone Fani is one of the most destructive cyclones India ever witnessed. There are various reasons behind the destructive power of Fani, but one of the most important reasons is decreasing green cover. Now, learning lesson from last year’s experience, the Odisha government launched a free sapling distribution drive in the state’s capital Cuttack and Puri.
On this occasion, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi flagged off seedling distribution vehicles at Biju Patnaik Park.
A total of 25 vehicles, 15 in Bhubaneswar and five each in Cuttack and Puri, will move in and around these three cities to distribute saplings to households free of cost.
These vehicles will cover all Wards in the three urban local bodies and also move to nearby villages to encourage people to plant saplings.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force Sandeep Tripathi said, “At least five lakh saplings will be distributed during the drive which will continue till August 21”. He added Each household can take five to 10 saplings depending on the availability of land and their ability to nurture the plants.
Tripathi said during Van Mahotsav week from July 1 to July 7, the Forest and Environment department had distributed around 50 lakh saplings to people free of cost for plantation in Fani hit areas.
Forest officials said HDFC bank has sponsored the sapling distribution drive as part of its CSR activity. This year, the Forest and Environment department will distribute four crore saplings to various institutions, organizations and the public to increase the green cover of the State. The PCCF said the special emphasis is being laid on sapling plantation in all the 14 districts affected by the cyclone.
Moreover, the government has launched ‘Post Fani Coastal Shelter Belt and Afforestation Mission’ to revive green cover lost in Fani. Eighty lakh saplings will be planted under this mission in Fani affected areas.