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NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Maharashtra To Plant 10 Crore Trees For A Greener, Sustainable Future
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has set a target of planting 10 crore trees this year to create a greener and sustainable future for the state, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said. Tree plantation should become a people's movement, the Chief Minister said after chairing a review meeting for the 'Green Maharashtra, Prosperous Maharashtra' tree plantation campaign on the eve of the World Environment Day on Wednesday. "We've set a target of planting 10 crore trees this year, and will aim for the same next year too, because this is not just about numbers, it's about creating a greener, sustainable future for our state," Fadnavis said in a statement after the meeting. He said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative, Maharashtra has consistently led the way by "planting 33 crore and 50 crore trees" in recent years. "We are confident that we'll surpass this year's target as well," the chief minister said. Tree plantation must become a people's movement, he said. "I've urged all departments, local bodies, and social organisations to join hands. The saplings must be 1.5 to 3 years old, and we must ensure their survival and long-term care," Fadnavis said. "We're leveraging AI, remote sensing and satellite monitoring for real-time tracking and transparency. Directed for optimal use of CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) funds to ensure the impact on ground," he said. The forest department will take the lead on plantations along highways and pilgrimage routes, the Chief Minister said. "In view of the upcoming industrial growth, we plan to plant one crore trees in Gadchiroli and intensify efforts in Beed, Latur and Jyotiba hills where the tree cover needs urgent attention," he said.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Maharashtra aims to plant 100 mn trees for greener future: Fadnavis
The Maharashtra government has set a target of planting 10 crore trees this year to create a greener and sustainable future for the state, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said. Tree plantation should become a people's movement, the CM said after chairing a review meeting for the 'Green Maharashtra, Prosperous Maharashtra' tree plantation campaign on the eve of the World Environment Day on Wednesday. "We've set a target of planting 10 crore trees this year, and will aim for the same next year too, because this is not just about numbers, it's about creating a greener, sustainable future for our state," Fadnavis said in a statement after the meeting. He said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative, Maharashtra has consistently led the way by "planting 33 crore and 50 crore trees" in recent years. "We are confident that we'll surpass this year's target as well," the chief minister said. Tree plantation must become a people's movement, he said. "I've urged all departments, local bodies, and social organisations to join hands. The saplings must be 1.5 to 3 years old, and we must ensure their survival and long-term care," Fadnavis said. "We're leveraging AI, remote sensing and satellite monitoring for real-time tracking and transparency. Directed for optimal use of CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) funds to ensure the impact on ground," he said. The forest department will take the lead on plantations along highways and pilgrimage routes, the CM said. "In view of the upcoming industrial growth, we plan to plant one crore trees in Gadchiroli and intensify efforts in Beed, Latur and Jyotiba hills where the tree cover needs urgent attention," he said.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Govt plans to replenish green cover, plant 100 million trees in state
MUMBAI: After chopping nearly 500,000 trees for infra projects in the last year, the state government has decided to plant a hundred million trees this year under a campaign called 'Green Maharashtra, Prosperous Maharashtra'. The decision was taken at a meeting on Wednesday, and a target of another hundred million trees has been set for next year as well. CM Devendra Fadnavis said the campaign would succeed only if tree plantation became a public movement, and asked citizens to participate. In the first term of the BJP government from 2014 to 2019, the then forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar had announced a target of planting 330 million trees, a claim contested by the Congress. The Maha Vikas Aghadi government had announced a probe into this. But after it lost power in 2022, the probe panel gave a clean chit to Mungantiwar. 'To achieve the goal of 33% forest cover, the campaign must continue for the next 20 years in mission mode. In the past eight years, Maharashtra has planted a large number of trees, successfully meeting earlier targets of 330 million and 500 million saplings. Hence, this year's target is achievable,' said a press note issued by the government. Claiming that Maharashtra was leading in increasing forest cover in the country, Fadnavis emphasised that tree plantation was essential for maintaining the environmental balance. 'Saplings that are at least 1.5 years old should be planted to ensure survival, and the survival rate should be increased by using artificial intelligence,' he said. 'Tools like remote sensing and satellite imagery should be used to ensure transparency.' The forest department, in a presentation, said that as per national standards, at least 33% of total land needed to be under forest cover. India has 25.17% of forest land while Maharashtra has 21.25%. The department said there was much scope for plantation outside forest areas such as areas next to national highways and expressways. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said that indigenous and shade-giving trees needed to be planted along highways but potential road expansions in the future also needed to be considered. Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar launched a tree plantation and monitoring system developed by the PWD at the meeting. The government has made it clear that several departments must allocate land and ensure quality saplings by developing nurseries. It has emphasised that tree species should be planted based on regional conditions and said that full use of the CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) funds should be made available for this work. The responsibility for planting trees along national and state highways as well as pilgrimage routes will now be with the forest department. With growing industrial development in Gadchiroli, plans are afoot to plant 10 million trees there next year. The forest department has been instructed to run special campaigns in Marathwada, especially in districts like Beed and Latur, where tree cover is very low. A senior IAS officer said that it was the forest department's job anyway to arrange plantation drives. 'The department runs away from this responsibility and dumps it on various municipal corporations and councils,' he said. Dr Yogesh Salphale, an environmentalist from Chandrapur, said that the target of 100 million trees was too large for the authorities to manage. 'Instead, they should preserve large trees which they chop, claiming they are in the way of infra projects,' he pointed out. Suresh Chopane, another environmentalist, said that plantation was more vital in cities, where trees are routinely chopped. 'Mumbai has become a heat trap,' he said. 'In the 1950s and 1960s, temperatures never exceeded 37 degrees centigrade. Now we have crossed 40 degrees centigrade. This is urban heat and more trees are definitely needed.'
Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis sets target of planting 10 crore trees this year
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that 10 crore trees will be planted this year under the 'Green Maharashtra, Prosperous Maharashtra' campaign to increase the forest cover in the state. A target for planting another 10 crore trees has been set for next year as well. Fadnavis on Wednesday held a meeting regarding the same emphasising that the campaign will succeed only if tree plantation becomes a public movement and everyone must work together for the same. 'Maharashtra is leading in increasing forest cover in the country. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', Maharashtra has performed well. To achieve the goal of 33% forest cover, the campaign must continue for the next 20 years in a mission mode. In the past 8 years, Maharashtra has planted a large number of trees, successfully meeting earlier targets of 33 crore and 50 crore saplings. Hence, this year's target is achievable,' he said. Fadnavis suggested planting saplings that are at least 1.5 to 3 years old to ensure survival and growth adding that the efforts should be made to increase the survival rate using modern technologies like Artificial Intelligence, tools like remote sensing and satellite imagery to ensure transparency. Departments have been asked to allocate land and ensure quality saplings for the campaign. Local governing bodies and zilla parishads have been asked to actively participate by involving social organisations. He directed that tree species should be planted based on regional conditions and full use of funds available under CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) should be made for this work. The responsibility for planting trees along national and state highways, as well as the palkhi routes, will now be given to the forest department. Also, with growing industrial development in Gadchiroli district, plans are being made to plant one crore trees there by next year. Additionally, largescale plantation will be undertaken on Jotiba hill. In Marathwada, especially in districts like Beed and Latur, where tree cover is very low, the forest department has been instructed to run special campaigns. The CM also mentioned that the Bamboo Mission should be treated as a mission for all departments and everyone must contribute. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar stated that while planting trees along highways, potential future road expansions must be considered and priority should be given. Forest Minister Ganesh Naik assured that the forest department will plant trees along highways. Full use of CAMPA funds will be made, and the 10-crore tree plantation campaign will be implemented successfully.
