Environment Minister Reviews Patna Park and Forest Division Initiatives

Chirag Gupta

Patna: Dr. Prem Kumar, Minister of Environment and Forest Climate Change, reviewed the works of the Forest Division and Patna Park Division. The meeting, held at the Patna Park Division office on Saturday, included the Forest Division Officer of Patna and the Forest Division Officer of Patna Park Division.

The Forest Division Officer of Patna reported that under the urban forestry scheme, approval has been received for planting 6,450 plants, and under the forestry scheme outside natural forests, approval has been received for planting 23,000 plants. The current tree plantation work is ongoing, with directives to complete it soon. Additionally, the Minister emphasized selecting new sites to increase greenery in Patna’s urban areas.

It was informed that a target of distributing 3.82 lakh plants to Jeevika Didis has been set, with over 2.80 lakh plants already distributed. The remaining plants are expected to be distributed shortly. Under the Chief Minister’s Agricultural Forestry Scheme, 32,000 plants have been distributed, with numbers expected to rise in August. Plants are also being supplied to MNREGA government institutions and NGOs, with adequate plants available in the departmental nursery.

The Forest Division Officer of Patna Park Division detailed that maintenance and management of 105 parks are ongoing. Of the 37 new parks transferred by Bihar State Housing Board, plans for the development and maintenance of 5 parks have been submitted against a target of 9 for the financial year 2024-25. Additionally, the Minister directed inspections of available land along Gangapath and Atalpath, with plans to be submitted immediately.

Lastly, the Minister called for prompt action on applications submitted for park development, underscoring the commitment to enhancing green spaces in Patna.