Chandigarh, May 15:
Undertaking a novel initiative, the Forests and Wildlife Preservation Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak today directed the department officers to prepare an Urban Forestry project under which tall plants would be planted in the urban areas. These plants would be protected by the tree guards on which the name of the department would be written.
In a meeting here today, the Minister emphasized that the project should focus on planting shady as well as the fruit bearing trees.
In another unique step, Mr. Kataruchak asked the officers to formulate a proposal for getting the Neem, Banyan and Pipal declared as the protected trees which would go a long way in ensuring their conservation.
While reviewing the works being done by the department in Shivalik Hills and North Circle, the Minister strongly advocated undertaking a major plantation drive aimed at increasing the area under green cover in the State. Batting for transparency in the development projects such as Nanak Bagichis and Pavittar Van, the Minister made it clear that laxity in execution of works would not be tolerated.
Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) Dharminder Sharma, APCCF cum CEO PUNCAMPA Saurav Gupta, CCF (Hills) Nidhi Srivastava, CF North Sanjeev Tiwari, CF Shivalik Circle Mr. Kannan, DFO Hoshiarpur Avneet Singh, DFO Pathankot Dharamveer Dheru, DFO Rupnagar Harjinder Singh and Daljit Kumar from Dasuya Division.
