Must plant traditional trees: CM

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 28

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today asked the Forests and Wildlife Preservation Department to revive the original flora and fauna keeping in view state’s natural climate and habitat.

Reviewing the functioning of department through videoconferencing, the CM emphasised the need for undertaking massive plantation of traditional trees, including ber, kikar, saal and shisham, besides khatta amb, an indigenous variety of Mango commonly prevalent in Kandi region and southern Punjab.

He said these had dwindled over the passage of time and their plantation would offer a natural habitat to old species of wild animals and birds. The CM complimented the department for undertaking plantation of chandan and high-yielding bamboo (bamabusa balcooa), which gives double the yield of traditional bamboo.

He asked the Additional Chief Secretary, Forests, to encourage plantation of indigenous species and motivate farmers for plantation of poplar, which was not only water efficient but also remunerative due to its demand in the wood industry.

The CM underscored the need for going for breeding of crocodiles in rivers, especially Beas and Sutlej.

He, however, appreciated the efforts of the department for re-introduction of ghariyal, an important component of the riverine ecosystem and present in the river systems of Punjab.

Captain Amarinder lauded the efforts of wildlife for conservation of Indus dolphins that had been declared a state aquatic animal in 2019.

Taking serious view of the growing population of wild boar, blue bull and roz, especially in the kandi area and cotton belt of southern Punjab, the CM asked the Wildlife Department to take effective measures to save human lives, which are often lost due to attacks by wild animals, besides causing damage to crops.

To address this problem on a priority basis, the CM asked the Wildlife Department to work out modalities in sync with the Animal Husbandry Department for shifting and rehabilitating the stray cattle in those ‘birs’ that were not wildlife sanctuaries.