Drive for roof-top forestry launched

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 29

A campaign was launched by Punjab Forest Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot to increase greenery in the city. He appealed to people to make their homes greener by planting more trees.

He said, “The Punjab Government has formulated a special plan to help make the industrial city greener under which plants and saplings in planters will be made available to residents for growing on rooftops.” The minister was here to discuss how to make city greener with officials of the administration.

“The Punjab government wants that development in the city takes place in a planned manner. The roof-top forestry will be developed in the city. Under this scheme, plants will be provided along with planters to residents free of cost ,” he added.

“Under the scheme, an application will have to be submitted to the Forest Department and plants will be made available within a month. These plants will include ornamental, fruit, medicinal and other varieties,” the minister said.

“While distributing plants, economically weaker sections (slum areas) and densely populated areas will be given special consideration in order to enhance greenery. Saplings will be planted on both sides and in road medians, in a planned manner,” he added. 

 “Trees planted in between road medians cannot be cut according to instructions of the National Green Tribunal. These will be marked with white colour to prevent road mishaps during the night,” he said. 

He also appealed to panchayats to send proposals to the Forest Department for developing vacant Shamlaat land into green areas. 

 “It has been noticed that roadsides trees, plants and public utilities are damaged by the people. People indulge in such activities due to lack of fear of department officials and workers. The Forest and Wildlife Department guards and range officers should remain in uniform when on duty. Strict departmental action will be taken against those not wearing uniform while on duty,” he added. 

 The minister also instructed officials to carry work in the field instead of sitting in offices. Dharamsot appealed to farmers not to burn paddy stubble to maintain the land fertility and prevent environment degradation. 

He said the state government had taken up the matter with the Centre and demanded that farmers should get financial assistance for cultivating stubble residue within fields. 

 Dharamsot also flagged off vans and auto-rickshaws fitted with loudspeakers from the Department of Agricutulture to create awareness among farmers for not burning stubble.  When asked about the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha byelection, he said, “The Congress party candidate Sunil Jakhar will win by more than 2 lakh votes. This election is being contested by the Congress on the issue of pro-people work during the last six months in the state against the three years of Central government’s failure.”