BENGALURU
Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Ishwar Khandre has said that 5 crore saplings will be planted across the state this year and an audit will be done through geotag to find out how many saplings are left, besides taking care that they grow into trees.
Khandre said this at a press conference before holding a video conference with all Deputy Commissioners and and Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Panchayats at Vikas Soudha on Friday. The aim of the government is to increase forest cover, green cover. The criteria is that forest and green cover should be at least 33 per cent of the total geographical area. However, at present, the coverage in the state is only around 20.19 per cent and the government considers increasing the coverage as a priority duty, he said.
The whole of mankind realised how important oxygen is during covid times. Therefore, it is everyone’s responsibility to protect the trees that give us life and the media should create awareness in this regard. A committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner for the 1-day Vanamahotsava, which is being celebrated from July 7. The committee also has Superintendents of Police, Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Panchayats and Deputy Conservators of Forests as member secretary.
