Lucknow: Dr. Arun Kumar Saxena, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment, Forest, Climate Change and Zoo, Uttar Pradesh, held a preparation review meeting through video conferencing with the Divisional Forest Officer and Chief Conservator of all the districts of the state under the Ped Lagao-Ped Bachao Jan Abhiyan-2024 at the Parijat Auditorium located at the Forest Department Headquarters and obtained detailed information regarding the status of the plants and the identified places before the upcoming tree plantation.
On the instructions of the Government of India, he appealed to the general public to plant “Ek Paudha Maa Ke Naam”.
During the meeting, Dr. Saxena gave clear instructions to all the officers that before planting the trees, proper arrangements should be made for their safety. He said that to make the Tree Plantation Jan Abhiyan 2024 successful on a large scale, technology should be used for planting as well as protecting the plants. He said that after planting the saplings, it should be secured by installing tree-guards and full preparation of boundary etc. should be done before planting trees in schools-colleges and other places. He directed to make permanent/temporary arrangements for regular watering of the plants. He directed the concerned departments to physically inspect the plants every three months and inform him about the actual information of the plants.
The Forest Minister said that he himself will keep inspecting the plantation sites from time to time and if any deficiencies are found, departmental action will be taken against the concerned. He said that the general public must be informed about the place where the plants will be planted so that they can also take care of it. Dr. Saxena said that while planting trees in all the parks located in the cities within the state, plants should be planted in the name of the local people and their family members to connect them emotionally, so that maximum number of common people can participate. He also said that plantation programs must be organized in the premises of temples, religious places and schools-colleges etc.
Dr. Saxena directed all the forest officers of the state to specially invite media friends along with their families and request them to plant trees. He expected the forest officers of the main tourist places to identify special land for tourism in their districts and give priority to planting ayurvedic saplings along with maximum number of shady plants on roads and midlines. The roads and midlines identified by him will be inspected by him himself.
He instructed to make full preparations in the districts selected by VIPs/distinguished dignitaries for tree plantation.
The Forest Minister said that NHAI, PWD, Urban Development and Development Authority must plant saplings in their land and NHAI and PWD should plant saplings on the roadside with the help of the Forest Department.
He said that fruit plants should be distributed to the children of schools and degree colleges by the Forest Department. He also said that if required, the work of plantation should be successfully completed by identifying land with the help of various voluntary organizations.
During the preparation review, Dr Saxena expressed deep displeasure over the unsatisfactory conditions of Deoria, Fatehpur, Jhansi, Jalaun and Bijnor and directed to present the action plan before him within three days. He obtained detailed information regarding special plantations, heritage tree garden, wetland conservation forest and Mitravan.
