Social forestry wing to halt tree saplings distribution this year as govt. cuts fund
A green tradition cut short.
On June 5 every year, the heart-warming sight of schoolchildren proudly carrying saplings back home – gifted by the Forest department's social forestry wing on World Environment Day – has come to be a renowned tradition. However, this year, the project will be shelved owing to the denial of funding for the initiative.
According to sources, the social forestry wing has been distributing tree saplings on Environment Day to schools and other institutions, aiming to encourage green cover. But for the first time this year, the government didn't allot fund for the project, resulting in its suspension.
The social forestry wing has distributed almost 20 lakh saplings across the State over the years. According to officials, last year over 60,000 trees were distributed in Idukki alone.
'The prices are ₹23 for small saplings and ₹55 for big saplings. Guava, gooseberry, pomegranate, rambutan, teak, Dalbergia latifolia (rosewood), and sandal saplings are distributed free of cost. But this year, there is no such free tree sapling distribution. Recently, the social forestry wing produced fruit tree saplings and received wide acceptance,' said an official.
According to officials, the wing has already produced nearly 3 lakh fruit and tree saplings for the sale this year. 'The tree saplings cannot be distributed free of cost for students or other institutions without a special order from the government,' said officials.
Meanwhile, Forest department officials reveal that the Chief Minister had allotted ₹5.60 crore for producing nearly one crore tree saplings by November this year and will distribute them the same month. The project will be implemented through the Haritha Keralam Mission. The Forest department has already started initiatives for producing 20 lakh tree saplings for the special project, said officials.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Uttarakhand CM Dhami plants Sita Ashoka sapling under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign at his CMO residence
Uttarakhand CM Dhami plants Sita Ashoka sapling under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign at his CMO residence (ANI) DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday planted a Sita Ashoka sapling at the Chief Minister's residence on the occasion of World Environment Day as part of the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign, according to the release statement. On this occasion, the chief minister called upon the state's people to participate in this holy work and serve nature while respecting their mother. This campaign is dedicated to maternal respect and environmental protection, in which every person is encouraged to plant a tree in their mother's name. Forest and environment minister Subodh Uniyal and chief secretary Anand Bardhan also participated in the event by planting trees. Earlier today, Dhami greeted people on World Environment Day and urged them to participate in the 'Ek Ped Maa ke Naam' (One tree in the name of mother) by planting at least one tree and protecting the environment. " "Conservation of nature and environment is both our cultural heritage and responsibility. Under the leadership and guidance of the respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign has been started to promote environmental conservation," Dhami said in a post on X. "Let us all promote this campaign and plant a tree in the name of Mother and ensure our participation in environmental protection," his post added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Ek Ped Maa ke naam, an initiative that combines environmental conservation with a tribute to mothers, on June 5, 2024, exactly one year ago. According to the ministry of environment, Forest and Climate Change, at least 80 crore saplings were planted between June and September, through collaborative efforts from government agencies, local communities, and various stakeholders. The Prime Minister also greeted people today, urging them to deepen their efforts to protect the planet and complimenting people working at the grassroots level for environmental conservation.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
40 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Andhra launches plantation drive to boost green cover to 50% by 2047
The Andhra Pradesh government launched a large-scale greening campaign on Thursday to mark World Environment Day, with the objective of increasing the state's green cover from the current 30.05 per cent to 50 per cent by 2047. The initiative, part of the Vana Mahotsav (forest festival) and End Plastic Pollution drive, involves planting 10 million saplings across the state. Currently, the green cover includes 22.96 per cent recorded forest area and 7.09 per cent trees outside forests. Officials aim to add over 32,000 square kilometres of green area to meet the 2047 target. CM, deputy CM launch campaign Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan launched the campaign at the state level, with concurrent events held at district and constituency levels. Target: 55.8 million saplings in 2025 The state plans to plant 55.8 million saplings in 2025, covering 180,000 hectares. The goal is to achieve 37 per cent green cover by 2029, with an annual increase of 1.5 per cent. Progress will be monitored through geo-tagging, drone surveillance, satellite imagery, and audit-based scoring. Real-time dashboards will track developments and encourage public participation. Mission Haritha Andhra Pradesh to oversee campaign District Collectors will coordinate the drive with support from senior IAS and IFS officers. Nodal officers will oversee the campaign under the Mission Haritha Andhra Pradesh initiative. Between 2025 and 2030, over 987,000 hectares will be covered through plantations led by the Forest and Horticulture departments, with support from other line departments and local bodies.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
40 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Rijiju vows to make Central Waqf Council stronger, highlights new reforms
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said the government aims at making the Central Waqf Council more robust and responsive in its service to the community and highlighted the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 for strengthening the legal and administrative framework to manage Waqf properties. Rijiju made the remarks at en event organised to mark World Environment Day with a special tree plantation drive under the theme, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", at the Central Waqf Bhawan here. "We aim to make the Central Waqf Council more robust and responsive in its service to the community," he said. The minister underlined the government's continued efforts to empower minority institutions like the Central Waqf Council (CWC) and ensure transparent governance. Referring to recent legislative progress, he highlighted the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which strengthens the legal and administrative framework for managing Waqf properties. The CWC, a statutory body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, was set up in 1964 in accordance with the provisions of the Waqf Act, 1954 as an advisory body to the Centre on matters concerning the working of Waqf boards and the due administration of Waqf properties. During the interaction, Rijiju announced the upcoming launch of the "UMEED" central portal, scheduled to go live on Friday (June 6). The portal will facilitate the digitisation and registration of Waqf properties, enhancing transparency, governance and utilisation. "State governments and Waqf boards must actively upload and manage data to ensure that more than nine lakh Waqf properties are utilised meaningfully, especially for the welfare of women and children," the minister said. The event was led by Rijiju and he was joined by Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying George Kurian and Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Chandra Shekhar Kumar, along with senior officials of the ministry and the CWC. The initiative was aimed at encouraging citizens to plant a tree in honour of their mothers, blending emotional tribute with environmental responsibility. In his address to the media, Rijiju emphasised India's global leadership in ecological conservation. He said India is making significant contributions to increase the green cover through plantation drives etc. "We are not just committed to preserving the environment, we are actively reclaiming and restoring the ecological balance," he said. The plantation drive saw active participation from all levels of the ministry. Officials and staff members planted saplings in the name of their mothers, reinforcing the emotional and symbolic depth of the initiative. The drive was not just a ceremonial gesture but a meaningful action towards promoting sustainable practices and deepening the community's bond with nature, an official statement said. The ministry's observance of World Environment Day through "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" highlighted its broader commitment to environmental stewardship, inclusivity and responsive governance, it added. Rijiju also took a moment to express condolences for the victims of a recent stampede in Bengaluru. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
