Shimla: Himachal Pradesh,
with a quarter of its geographical area under forest cover, has been
undertaking measures to expand its green cover in what its forest department
calls the country’s mega micro-level public afforestation drive to plant one
crore saplings in 15,000 hectares this monsoon.
Chief Minister Virbhadra
Singh launched the drive by planting saplings of indigenous species like “Arjun”,
“Harad” and “Amla” during the 67th state-level forest sapling plantation
programme at Neras village in Bilaspur district in June, a forest department
official said on Sunday.
The Indian State of
Forest Report of 2015 said an increase of 13 sq km of forest land has been
recorded in the state due to concerted efforts in conservation and management
of the forest wealth.
The hill state has become
the first in Asia to earn carbon credits. It has received the first installment
of Rs 1.93 crore. Carbon credits provide a way to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by giving the stakeholders, including the panchayats, a monetary
value. A credit gives the owner the right to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide.
Credits can be exchanged between businesses or bought and sold in the
international market at current market prices.
To supplement the
efforts, all government schools and 3,000 youth clubs would participate in a
plantation drive on the eve of the International Youth Day on August 12.
Similarly, all the
government institutions, NGOs and the public have been roped in by the forest
department to participate in the plantation drive during this monsoon.
Records of the forest
department said 1,7429 hectares were brought under forest cover in 2013-14 by
spending Rs 1.66 crore. Likewise, in 2014-15 and 2015-16, the corresponding
figures were 1,2730 hectares and 11,449 hectares, respectively.
Besides, 45.30 lakh
medicinal plants were planted in 2013-14, 46.70 lakh in 2014-15 and 43 lakh in
2015-16.
During the plantation
drive, plantation of broad leaves, wild and medicinal, was done so as to
generate employment opportunities to the villagers.
The maintenance period in plantation areas has
been enhanced from three to five years and seven years under catchment area
treatment plan so as to increase plant’s survival rate, said the official. He
said fencing is being encouraged for preventing deforestatio
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