Thursday, 06 JUNE 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed that a massive tree plantation drive should start in the State from the festival of Harela. In the month-long drive saplings of fruit and trees having good shade would be planted. Chairing a meeting of senior officers of the State government on Wednesday, the CM said that the ‘water conservation and plantation campaign-2024’ should be successfully implemented. He said that efforts for water conservation should be done and effective steps should be taken for rejuvenation of the water resources in the State.
The help of UCOST and USERC and other agencies should be taken for rejuvenation of water sources. CM said that the public participation is the key for success of the campaign and added that people working in the field of water conservation should be involved in the project. He directed that the baseline data of the rivers and water sources earmarked for rejuvenation should be prepared.
Dhami suggested that work on both short term and long term plans should be prepared for rejuvenation of water sources. Emphasis should be laid on rain water harvesting and the officers should ensure that the policy of rain water harvesting is implemented. He said that for controlling the forest fires focus should be on preserving the moisture in the areas frequented by the fires. A work plan should be prepared for the conservation of the water sources which are diminishing at a fast pace. He ordered that work on construction of Amrit Sarovars and Chal- Khals should be expedited.
Dhami said that protection of the planted saplings is also very important. He directed that the plantation campaign should be undertaken at the Nyaya Panchayat level. He suggested that public awareness programmes should be held at Nyaya Panchayats. The saplings of fruit trees should be distributed in villages, schools and universities.
The forest minister Subodh Uniyal said that public participation holds the key for the success of plantation drive. He said that linking aforestation with MNREGA will help in increasing the income of people. The minister said that the forest department will undertake the plantation drive by making sectors.
The environmentalist Anil Joshi said that there is a need to conserve traditional sources of water.
The chief secretary Radha Raturi, additional chief secretary Anand Bardhan, principal secretary R K Sudhanshu, principal forest conservator Dhananjay Mohan, secretaries Shailesh Bagoli, AS Hyanki, V S Pandey, SN Pandey, R Rajesh Kumar, HC Semwal and other officers were present in the meeting.
