IEP Chandigarh, April 10
Haryana Steering Committee of Green India Mission which met under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal here today approved Rs 364.60 crore annual plan of operations for recognized landscapes in the state. The planning and implementation of interventions under the National Afforestation Program (NAP) is designed on the basis of landscape. In Haryana, the recognized landscapes are Shivaliks, Plains and Aravalis. The financial year 2023-2024 will be the second year of implementation of the Green India Mission. The work to be carried out under the perspective plan for the recognized landscapes include eco-restoration, enhancing tree cover in urban and per-urban areas including institutional lands, agro-forestry and social forestry for increasing biomass and creating carbon sink. It also includes soil and moisture conservation works in the moderately dense forest cover showing degradation. A sum of Rs 182.95 crore has been approved for the Shivalik Landscape comprising areas in districts Panchkula, Yamunanagar and Ambala, while Rs.143.26 crore has been sanctioned for the Plain Landscape comprising Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Jind, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar and Kaithal districts. Similarly, a sum of Rs. 38.38 crore has been approved for Aravali landscape comprising areas of districts Faridabad, Gurugram, Nuh, Mahendergarh, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Palwal and Rewari. Directing the officials, Chief Secretary, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal said that synergy between different schemes of the forest department and funds under the Green India Mission should be maintained to achieve the targets of the annual plan of operations. He said that the quality of forest cover should be enhanced with improvements in ecosystem services. Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal directed the officers to issue instructions regarding intensive plantation and conduct inspection of ponds under the Amrit Sarovar scheme. “Amrit Sarovar is an exemplary kind of model. Intensive plantation should be carried out around the ponds under the Amrit Sarovar scheme and the directions in this regard should be publicized for appropriate action. Besides, senior officers of the forest department should ensure monitoring by conducting inspection of ponds in different districts,” he said. The Chief Secretary also directed the officials to ensure proper implementation of works under the Shivdham Yojana and Nagar Van, besides restoring the old rest houses in the state. He also instructed the officials to consider and plan for elephant camps at different rehabilitation centres in the state. On the occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forest and Wildlife, Sh. Vineet Garg along with other officials of the forest department were present
