CM targets planting 10cr saplings this yr to boost forest cover
Mumbai: Chief minister
Devendra Fadnavis
on Wednesday set a target of planting 10 crore saplings in the current year to enhance the forest cover across the state. "We will have to launch a people's tree plantation movement to achieve the target of green Maharashtra in a time-bound period.
Next year too, we will plant an equal number of saplings," Fadnavis said.
He held a marathon meeting with senior bureaucrats, all divisional commissioners and collectors, on drafting a strategy for enhancing the forest cover. Additional chief secretary (forest) Milind Mhaiskar made an impressive presentation on the measures to be taken for enhancing forest cover in a time-bound period. While the current forest cover is 21.25%, additional 240 crore saplings will have to be planted to achieve the target of 33% forest cover.
According to a senior bureaucrat, every department has been given a specific target, which will be completed before the ensuing monsoon. "We have set a target of 11 crore saplings. In view of our past experience, it should not be difficult to achieve the target," he said. The bureaucrat said earlier, it was found that acute shortage of labour, shortage of funds — from 2017-18 labour bills worth Rs 30 crore — have not been paid.
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In several villages, resolutions have not been passed in the gram sabha. Labour from outside of the tehsil do not report for work. There is a delay on the part of the central government to release daily wages. Labours are reluctant to record attendance two times every day and above all, labours prefer non-governmental jobs. All of this has hit the tree plantation drive.
The forest department has proposed massive tree plantations on both sides of the national highways and roads being constructed by state road development corporation. "If we have to achieve the target of 33% forest cover, then tree plantation should become a movement. For the 33% target, we will have to enhance our speed," said Fadnavis.
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