Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday announced that a record fifty lakh trees would be planted in various parts of the state on July 7. He sought support from all sections of people in the state to make this target a success, while inaugurating the seven-day-long state level programme–“Bana Mahotsav 2017” here at Unit II Government High School.
The Forest and Environment Department of the State Government will observe July 7 as “Tree Plantation Day”, declared the Chief Minister.
Patnaik said, “Trees” are the greatest creation in the world.” Terming trees as the best friend of man next only to books, he asked students to plant at least a tree in a year and take care of it.
The forest area in the state had increased by around three per cent in the last five years. Forests now cover thirty-five per cent of the total area of the state as a result of various programmes initiated by the state government, the Chief Minister claimed.
Forest and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray, Culture and Tourism Minister Ashok Panda, MLAS Bijay Mohanty and Priyadarshi Mishra, BMC Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena and senior officials of the Forest and Environment Department were present on the occasion.
The speakers appealed to one and all to plant more trees to build a better environment in the state.
Meanwhile, Governor Dr. S. C. Jamir, along with his wife, today planted saplings in the Raj Bhavan premises on the occasion of Bana Mahotsav.
Ms Kalinga