Patna: Bihar has launched an ambitious Van Mahotsav campaign with a target to plant 5 crore saplings over the next three months to expand the state’s green cover. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the festival on July 13 by planting a sapling to mark the beginning of the plantation drive held during the monsoon month of Sawan.
Under this initiative, 2,97,00,000 saplings will be planted by the Forest Department alone. The campaign will include the plantation of species such as teak, mahogany, silk cotton, jamun, and arjun to improve biodiversity and environmental resilience.
To achieve the massive plantation target, saplings will be planted through the Rural Development Department, Jeevika groups, MNREGA, government and non-government institutions, and various social organisations. The targets include 57 lakh saplings from Jeevika, 1.93 lakh from MNREGA, 37.16 lakh from government schools and colleges, and 10 lakh saplings by the horticulture and agriculture departments.
So far, 30 lakh saplings have been planted in July. Saplings can be purchased by any farmer or individual at Rs 10 each from the department. If the saplings are preserved for three years, a grant of Rs 60 per tree will be provided.
Under Mission Meri Life, a campaign to promote public awareness is being run alongside the plantation drive. People planting saplings will receive five additional saplings free of cost. Moreover, every student in government schools and colleges will receive two free saplings to encourage environmental stewardship from a young age.
Nurseries across various districts have a wide range of saplings available. Information can be obtained from the call centre at 0612-2226911. Van Mahotsav has been organised annually since 1950, and this year, the state aims to involve maximum public participation to make it a success.
Additional Chief Secretary of the Department, Harjot Kaur Bamhra, has appealed to all citizens and institutions to actively participate in the plantation drive to achieve the set targets and contribute to forest conservation.
