3.78 crore seedlings for plantation programmes, 6.42 crore for distribution

Bhubaneswar, July 8: Continuing its activity of increasing forest cover with multi-modal approach in plantation drive, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department plans to have 7,8990.32 hectares afforestated during the rainy season by utilizing 3.78 crore seedlings including 4.61 lakh seedling of urban tree plantation (UTP) and 5,000 reverse kilometer (RKM) of Avenue Plantation. Besides, 6.42 crore seedlings will be distributed to the beneficiaries and institutions during the year 2023-24 including medicinal plants.  

Declaring this at 74^th State Level Van Mahotsav Programme Chief Guest Minister Forest and Environment & Climate Change Pradip Kumar Amat reiterated the mission of the State Government to add forest cover to existing forests throughout the state under various schemes.

Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik addressed the meeting on virtual mode and expressed his immense pleasure on celebration of the 74th State level Van Mohatsava and advised public to go for intensive tree planting inside the state to mitigate issues on global warming.   

This year, site wise plantations are to be continued throughout the State in the component of Artificial Regeneration (AR), Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR), Urban Tree Plantation (UTP), Avenue Plantation etc. The State level event was observed with much enthusiasm at Government High School Ghatikia yesterday.

Among others, Science & Technology, Public Enterprises, Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with disability Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, MP Sulata Deo, MLA Sushanta Rout (Bhubaneswar North), MLA Ananta Narayan Jena (Bhubaneswar Central), BMC Mayor Sulochana Das, Deputy Mayor Manjulata Kanhar, Corporator Kiranbala Majhi  and Additional Chief Secretary to Govt., Revenue & Disaster Management and FE& CC Department, Odisha Satyabrata Sahoo attended the meeting.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Odisha Debidutta Biswal, welcomed the Chief Guest and other dignitaries present on the occasion and highlighted the importance and objectives of Van Mahotsav.

 A brochure titled, “74^th Van Mahotsav” in Odia, highlighting the activities under different plantation programmes and schemes of the State Forest Department was released on this occasion. Another book titled ``Mangroves of Odisha’’ was also released. To create awareness among the school students, competitions were conducted. The winners were awarded on this occasion. Adhapada Vana Surakshya Samiti of Sambalpur District was awarded as the best V.S.S of the State with monetary reward of Rs. 2 lakh.