State to plant 2.25 crore saplings during the Monsoon, says Forest Minister Lal Chand Kataruchakk

S.A.S Nagar : Punjab Forest and Wildlife Minister, Lal Chand Kataruchakk said, here, today, that as per the directions of Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, the state government would plant 2.25 crore saplings during the ongoing monsoon season across the state.
Out of these 1.25 crore would be planted by the Forest Department while remaining one crore would be planted with the help of Panchayats. Launching a plantation drive at Village Maujpur near Landran and CGC Campus Landran, he said that in earlier times when there was no urbanisation, industrialisation and any type of air, water or other pollution, that time a message conveyed by our Guru Sahiban about the importance of air, water and earth is still have its relevance.
He said these days we are feeling the heat of global warming, fury of nature as floods and other catastrophes and pollutants in our water sources even in underground water that clearly points out our inhumane behave to nature, flaura and fauna. Stressing on need of environment conservation and preservation, the Forest Minister said that we have to revive our old culture of nurturing trees in the name of our grandparents and other loved ones.
Exhorting the students to plant and nurture a tree like a friend, he said this would definitely enhance the forest coverage on the earth. Referring to the couplet of renowned poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi on his love with trees, he said that we would have to treat the trees as our sons and mothers to prevent the degradation of the environment further.
He started plantation of 100 saplings at Sanjha Jal Talab at Maujpur while 500 at CGC Campus. Applauding the efforts of the Department of Student Welfare, CGC Landran to initiate the drive , he said that involvement of the students in the drive would be helpful to spread a positive message of preservation and conservation of our environment not among the residents but in the students too.
Underscoring the important role that trees play in preserving the environment, improving air quality, conserving water, preserving soil and supporting wildlife, he said that the government aims to plant more than two crore trees across Punjab by the end of this year and that they had completed more than 35 per cent of this target.
He also urged the young students to become active advocates for environment conservation taking up the responsibility to protect Mother Nature and make Punjab ‘Rangla Punjab’ in the truest sense.He concluded his address by encouraging the students to set lofty goals and to never think that anything is impossible.
He appreciated the Play on Environment awareness by the students of CGC Landran and environment activist Lashman Singh Chatha’s efforts to promote preservation and conservation of forest life and environment through eco friendly measures.
Forest and Food Supply Minister Lal Chand Kataruchakk was accorded a warm welcome on his arrival at CGC Landran by Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, President, CGC Landran, Dr. P.N. Hrisheekesha, Campus Director, CGC Landran, Mrs Gagandeep Kaur Bhullar, Dean Student Welfare, CGC Landran, faculty members and students of CGC. Other dignitaries present on the occasion, included Guest of Honour Shri Kanwardeep Singh (IFS), Divisional Forest Officer, SAS Nagar Mohali, Assistant Commissioner (G) Inder Pal PCS, Sukant Gupta, CGC Alumni and owner of a startup incubated at ACIC-RISE, CGC Landran, among others.
Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, President, CGC Landran appreciated and thanked the Minister and the officials from the forest department for their efforts towards making Punjab more clean and green as also for providing CGC the opportunity to contribute in this great initiative.