257 hectares of hilltops to be made green this fiscal: Himachal CM

The forest department has identified specific areas for the plantation during this monsoon season. These include 30 hectares in Kullu Forest Division, 25 hectares each in Nahan and Solan, and 20 hectares in Kinnaur Forest Division, among others.

“Additionally, the department has been directed to prepare a work plan to plant on approximately 10,000 hectares of land under various other departmental schemes,” Sukhu said.

To ensure the success of the Mission, the forest officials have been assigned the responsibility of monitoring the plantations and ensuring their survival, he added. “Recognising the significance of the rich biodiversity of the hill state, the government is taking proactive measures to increase the forest cover,” Sukhu said.

The CM, meanwhile, will proceed on July 6 on a five-day visit to Hamirpur where he will lay the foundation stones for various ambitious development projects.

An official spokesperson said that the CM will lay the stones for Rs 6.54-crore Rest House of Jal Shakti Vibhag and Rs 17.22-crore Multipurpose Hall at Nadaun. He will also take part in the opening ceremony of the Mini Secretariat Complex at Nadaun on July 6.

The spokesperson said that the CM will also lay the foundation stone for the Rs 24-crore Village Water and Sanitation Committee Bhawan, Dhaneta, under the Jal Jeevan Mission on July 7. He will also take stock of the electric bus depot at Maulaghat and helipad site, besides inspecting the starting point for the All India Rafting Marathon during the day.

On July 8, Sukhu will lay the foundation stones for the office of Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti Vibhag Hamirpur at Salasi to be constructed at a cost of Rs 5.27 crore; upgradation of water source under LWSS Hamirpur at a cost of Rs 15 crore; and widening and sprucing up of Kudihar-Masiana road at a cost of Rs 11.36 crore, the spokesperson said.

He said that the CM will inaugurate a Rs 3.93-crore bridge over Sukker Khad which would benefit the residents of Khatwin village.

He will also inaugurate a Rs 2.24-crore office building of District Welfare Office, Hamirpur, besides opening the office of H.P. Transport Appellate Tribunal, Solar office of HPPCL and laying the foundation stone for the Rs 67-lakh War Memorial Hamirpur during the day, the spokesperson added.

He said that the CM will also inaugurate a Rs 94-lakh canteen block of Government Degree College, Hamirpur; Rs 2.31-crore science lab of Government Senior Secondary School (Girls), Hamirpur; and Rs 48-lakh One Stop Centre on July 9. The CM will also lay the foundation stones for the Rs 2.01-crore Revenue Staff Residential Colony, Hamirpur, and Rs 5.27-crore link road from Bhagot to Phaphan Gram Panchayat Ukhali. CM Sukhu will also preside over a meeting of district-level officers of Hamirpur on the same day, the spokesperson added.