To increase the forest area in district, SAS Nagar has become the leading district in Punjab by distributing maximum number of saplings under Ghar Ghar Haryali & Mission Tandrust Punjab. As such, 1 lac 18 thousand 112 saplings have been distributed, so far by the forest department. Elaborating this Deputy Commissioner Smt. Gurpreet Kaur Sapra said that department of forests also provides free tree saplings from govt. nurseries as per the demand of public through I-Haryali app. The app has received a huge response in the district.Smt. Sapra said that out of total area of 7800 hectare 65.75 percent is covered under agriculture and 10.75 percent is covered under forests. As such, this area under forests is being expanded by encouraging plantation of maximum tree sapling, which is the need of hour, as uncontrolled deforestation has caused a great loss at every level. She said that trees are very helpful in creating & maintaining a balance of nature and life is incomplete without nature. In this regard, district administration has set a target for plantation of 1 crore trees in next 3 years, which will be achieved at every cost. Smt. Sapra said that nature parks have been established in forest region of district at Peer Muchalla, Bhabhat & Siswan. These parks will encourage the public and next generation to appreciate nature and preserve it. These parks will also inspire for maximum tree plantation.
District forest officer Guramanpreet Singh said that Punjab is the first state for launching I-haryali app, which has gained maximum response from youngsters. He said that besides planting of saplings, there case is also important. He appealed the public to plant maximum trees on their birthdays & other occasions on the name of martyrs. He said that demand of sapling is increasing day by day through I –haryali app. As such, to expand the horizon of this mission, youngsters are playing a vital role for tree plantation at vacant govt. lands, common areas, educations institutions, around ponds and link roads. He said that tree plantation along road sides is being done in the district in cooperation with other departments. Tree plantation along road side includes sapling of Neem, Jamun, Khair, Toot, Pipal, Sagwan, Chandan , Tahli, Sareen, Sukhchain, Gulmohar, Kachanar, Behera, Mango, Nilkanta, Rajain, Arjun, Kaner etc. These plants are being distributed free through i –haryali app.