Green mission to restore forest cover in Shivalik hills

Mapping of the forest areas in the state has been carried out by the Forest Research Institute (FRI).

“The aim is to increase forest cover from the current 6.87 per cent to 15 per cent. A pilot project,involving 10 villages has already been started. The participation of the villagers is vital to the mission’s success,’’ said Principal Chief Conservator Forests (PCCF) H S Gujral.

As per the plan a nursery will be set up at Mullapur village in Mohali which will have a capacity of producing 5-lakh seedlings per year. Similar nurseries will be set up in other districts as well.

Dr P A Bhojvaid,director of FRI (Dehradun),said: “Due to climate change there is either lack of rain or heavy downpours. The locals need to do earth work in January and February and capture water in ponds and tanks for irrigation of trees. The number of trees outside forests in Punjab are 6.5 crore. We need low volume and high value crops for this belt.’’

Masses need to be involved: Forest minister

Speaking after inaugurating a workshop on Green India Mission,on Monday,Punjab Forest Minister,Surjit Kumar Jyani said: “We cannot increase forest cover in the state without involving the masses in this revolution.”

He stated that Forest beats (the smallest administrative unit of the Forest Department) have been reconstituted to approach village panchayats and schools to plant more trees and preserve existing ones. “Directions have already been issued to plant ‘Trivenis’ in each village in the coming monsoon season,” he added.

Climate change

Green India Mission is one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Recognising that the climate change phenomenon will seriously affect and alter the distribution,type and quality of natural resources of the country and hence affect the livelihoods of people.