Odisha to plant 50 lakh saplings on State Plantation Day

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced to observe July 7 as the State Plantation Day with planting a record of 50 lakh saplings in a day across the state.

Attending Vana Mahotsav programme at unit-6 state-run school premises yesterday, Patnaik urged people belonging to all sections of society to join the Afforestation Programme on the day, observed by Odisha Forest & Environment department on July 7.

Taking to Microblogging site Twitter, he also announced his decision to observe the State Plantation Day on July 7.

At Vana Mahotsav, announced decision to observe 7 July as State Plantation Day & plant record 50 lakh saplings in one day across #Odisha⁠⁠⁠⁠ pic.twitter.com/ShvB4lv84T

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) July 2, 2017

The government has decided to plant 8,22,35,000 saplings for afforestation of 5,81,204 hectare area this fiscal across the state.

The amount of forest in the state has been increased to 35% from 3% in the past five years, the CM said while addressing the programme yesterday.

The state has planning for road side plantation upto 5,383 km this year. Out of 50 lakh saplings, 17 lakh are will be planted for afforestation in 122 urban areas.

Besides, saplings will be distributed to people and private organisations at minimal prices, while free saplings will be provided to the state-run schools.

As many as 791 holy forest areas will be revived. Target has been set to plant 79,100 saplings of different varieties that are on extinct.