To Mark India’s 75th Independence Day, an Amrit Van to be established says Minister Arun Kumar Saxena
Lucknow: Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Forests, Arun Kumar Saxena said that Harishankari Week would be celebrated from August 08 to August 15. Along with this, on the occasion of Independence Day on August 15, planting of 5 crore saplings and establishment of Amrit Van will be done. He said that 43003 sites have been selected for the establishment of Amrit Van.
34 lakh 23 thousand 911 saplings are to be planted at these sites. He directed that special priority should be given to the protection of plants along with plantation.
Saxena was reviewing the preparations for the establishment of Harishankari Week and Amrit Van at the forest headquarters today. He said that after hoisting the flag and national anthem on August 15, tree plantation should be done in all the Gram Panchayats at selected places for the Amrit festival of independence. He said that Amrit Van has to be established in every gram sabha and urban body. Plantation of 75 local species will be done in Amrut Van, in which preference should be given to plantation of Peepal, Pakad, Neem, Bell, Amla, Mango, Jackfruit and Drumstick plants.
The Forest Minister directed that for the establishment of Amrit Van, special importance should be given to the places related to the events/fighters of freedom struggle and plantation around Amrit Sarovar. A grand program should be organized in every assembly. In this, local public representatives, school children and students of scout guides should be specially invited. He said that painting, essay writing, slogan writing, Prabhat pheris and cultural programs should be organized in all the zoos of the state during the Independence Week. At the same time, arrangements should be made for attractive lighting in all the offices of the Forest Department located in the state.
The Forest Minister said that Harishankari saplings are to be planted at every divisional headquarters between August 08 to 15. Participation of government, non-government organizations, Lok Bharati, Rotary Club etc. should be ensured prominently in this program. He directed that for the smooth conduct of Harishankari Plantation Week, the Forest Department should complete the necessary preparations in time by meeting with the local social organizations at all the divisional headquarters. He also said that Haritima One mobile application should be kept updated for geotagging of Harishankari plants.
Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Manoj Singh and senior departmental officers were present in the meeting and the Divisional Forest Officers across the state were virtual connected.
