"The Punjab Government has distributed more than 2 crore various types of saplings free of cost till date under Mission Tandarust Punjab beginning previous year 5th June.The rationale behind this endeavour is to ensure that the environment and ecological balance in Punjab remains pollution free."Disclosing this here today the Forest Minister, Punjab, Mr. Sadhu Singh Dharamsot said that the State Government is fully committed to ensure a clean and pollution free environment to the people of the State. It is as part of this holistic commitment that more than 2 crore saplings of varied types have been distributed free of cost to the people till date under various campaigns. The minister further divulged that 10000 hectares of area has been brought under forest cover with the planting of 1.3 crore saplings whereas in accordance with the 'Ghar Ghar Hariyali' campaign around 68 lakh saplings have been distributed free of cost to the people who have planted these at the places of their choice.
Mr. Dharamsot further detailed that out of these 68 lakh saplings nearly 18 lakh have been distributed through online mobile application 'i haryali'. Under the scheme the people of the State downloaded the mobile app and thereafter procure the saplings of their choice from the nearest nursery. Giving more details, the minister said that as per the anti encroachment campaign undertaken by the department, Till date 5000 acres of land has been freed from the illegal encroachments and the drive to plant saplings at the same is continuing. The minister further added that under a special scheme, 4 lakh saplings of vegetables have been distributed absolutely free. Similarly, around 10 lakh saplings have been distributed free of cost to the farmers from the Clonal Hi Tech Nursery, Qadian and Ludhiana. Mr. Dharamsot also said that a target has been set to plant 550 saplings in every village of Punjab as part of the 550th Parkash Purb celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The scheme would see 75 lakh saplings being planted. Giving further details, He said that till date around 11 AM a total of 2000 villages have been planted with 11 children. The work of planting saplings in the other villages is going on war footing.The minister further said that the saplings are being prepared in more than 200 nurseries of the department and the drive to provide the people with free saplings under various schemes would continue in next year too.