Odisha plans massive plantation drive to recoup green cover lost in Fani

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has chalked out a strategy to make up for the green cover lost in the coastal districts due to cyclone Fani which caused massive destruction.

The government has planned a massive plantation drive called ‘Five Year Action Plan on Revival of Coastal Shelter Belt and Afforestation Programme’.

Under the programme, Rs 200 crore will be spent in the coastal districts of Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack where plantation will be done in 8000 hectare area.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik directed the officials to take up the drive in a mission mode.

In Fani-affected areas, 65 lakh saplings will be distributed to create the green cover. Besides, 50 lakh saplings will be given free of cost to organizations and individuals. Under Tree Plantation Programme, 5 lakh trees will be planted in as many years.

Worth mentioning, 30, 000 partially uprooted trees will be stabilized. The meeting resolved to plant fruit-bearing plants on 22, 000 hectares. In addition to this, inter-cropping package will be provided in three years.

Apart from five lakh fruit-bearing plant saplings, four lakh nutri-garden will be developed in people’s backyard.