Nod to Green Adoption Yojna to boost forest plantation

The state government has approved the launch of Mukhya Mantri Green Adoption Yojna to involve the private sector under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) towards environmental sustainability.

CM Sukhvinder Singh had made special mention of this scheme in his budget speech for fiscal 2025-26. This will help new forest scheme to blend corporate support with community participation, said an official spokesperson, here today.

“Forests are indispensable for ecological balance, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and providing livelihood opportunities for local communities. Forests are equally important for vital economic sectors like hydro power, tourism and horticulture,” he said.

He said this would enable private entities to participate financially and engage directly in the ecological restoration of specific degraded forest sites. “Under the scheme, the Forest Department will sign an MoU with private entrepreneurs for a period of five years. The MoU would have all details including approved budget, cost of plantation, maintenance, protection, soil/moisture conservation, fencing and other approved activities,” he said.

He said that the aim of this initiative is to increase the state’s actual forest area through plantations on degraded forest lands.