Lucknow: Minister of state for environment, forest and climate change (independent charge) Arun Kumar Saxena on Wednesday reviewed the preparation for Plantation-2025 and provided guidelines for the successful planting of 35 crore trees.The minister suggested that 1% of the legislative area development fund should be used by public representatives for thematic tree planting along roadsides using tree guards. He also emphasised promoting agroforestry by encouraging plantation on the boundaries of agricultural fields.Large-scale plantation is being done on forest land, community land, other govt land, agricultural and private land with the cooperation of 26 govt departments and the general public. As a result of extensive plantation done in the years so far, the state’s forest and tree cover increased by approximately 1.38 acres according to the ISFR report 2023 released by the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, last year, which is the second-highest increase in India.Ministers from other departments also participated in the review meeting. PWD state minister Brijesh Singh said that tree protection ensures water security and also proposed establishing ‘Sindoor Van’ in the state.
