Green cover boost: 16K saplings to be planted today

Admn to carry out mega plantation drive at 30 places

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 23

The district administration will observe Van Mahotsav on Tuesday by planting 16,140 saplings.

Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori said while the Chief Minister would launch the mega plantation drive during state-level events, similar drives would be started in the districts simultaneously. He added that the Forest Department had selected 30 locations in the district, where over 16,000 saplings would be planted in a single day. These places include Muthada Kalan village, Phillaur city, Goraya, Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, Phillaur Civil Hospital, Phillaur DAV Public School, Noormahal Police Station, Noormahal city, KV-II, KV-III, Jodhe village, Eidgah, Phase 1 Urban Estate and Dhina, CRPF campus, 91 Sub-Area in Cantt, ITBP, various schools and parks in the city, PAP Ground, area opposite Jalandhar DAV College, NIT campus, Adampur, Bhogpur and Birpind Sidhwa station.

The DC said the drive would be carried out with the help of local NGOs and government establishment wherein plantation will be carried out on their respective premises. Underlining the need to plant more trees to make Jalandhar clean, green and pollution free, the DC said it was the need of hour to check environmental pollution in the county. He asked people to come forward to make the drive a grand success as this gigantic task could not be accomplished without their active support and participation. Thori also asked the panchayats, youth clubs and schools besides social, religious and non-government organisations to contribute towards this noble initiative.

Divisional Forest Officer Vikram Kundra said under the drive, trees of native species such as shisham, arjuna, drek, neem, kadam, ornamental species, flowering plants and others would be planted. He said on the occasion, kids would be encouraged to adopt one tree each and ensure their proper growth and upkeep. The DFO said the main thrust of the drive was to make younger generations an active partner of the campaign for planting more trees. Notably, 4,89,500 saplings had been planted in the district to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, he added.