The Punjab Forest Department has created a new record by producing more than 5 crore seedlings in the various forest nurseries of the state. The seedlings are ready for plantation, which would help the state to fructify its target to enhance forest cover from existing 7% to 15% of the geographical area of the state.Disclosing this here today Mr. Surjeet Kumar Jayani, Forest and Wild Life Preservation Minister, Punjab said that the state Forest Department which raised only 150 to 170 lac seedlings annually has ramped up its activities and close to 5 crore seedlings are now ready in 247 Nurseries of the department for plantation and supply/distribution in the ongoing monsoon season.
He said that 60 lac seedlings have been planting in vacant places at villages across the state and remaining plants have also been planting at government institutions, departments, Non governmental institutions and saplings have been distributing to farmers for agro forestry across the state. Jayani further said that the state government had launched ‘Greening Punjab Mission’ last year. Under this project 40 crore saplings would be planted within next 7 years. The state government has set the target to increase the forest area from existing 7 % to 15 %. He said that to achieve the target the department has produced good quality saplings at major level.