Punjab's Green Initiatives: 2024 Wildlife and Forest Policies
Chandigarh, December 31: The Forest and Wildlife Preservation Department aims to increase green cover in the State. They also seek to protect the wildlife. Remarkable initiatives have been undertaken during the year 2024. This involved plantation of 2.84 Lakh saplings under various schemes such as the State Authority CAMPA and Greening Punjab Mission and furthermore, 3153.33 Hectare area has been brought under forests.
28.99 lakh saplings stand planted at the tubewells
Stating this, the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak announced that the State Cabinet approved the ‘Tree Preservation policy for Non-Forest Government and Public Lands-2024’. The aim is to save trees in Non-Forest and Government lands from illegal felling. It also aims to protect the environment from pollution and promote afforestation.
Also, 28.99 lakh saplings stand planted at the tubewells. This is as per the policy of planting at least 4 saplings per tubewell. The Minister added that 46 Pavittar Van and 268 Nanak Bagichis were also set up during the year. As many as 78 toilets are being constructed in the nurseries of the department for the women staff members.
Union Government to meet the target to increase forest cover to 7.5% by 2030
A project worth Rs. 792.88 Crore has got approval from the Union Government to meet the target to increase forest cover to 7.5% by 2030. The project would be implemented over a period of 5 years. It would involve active collaboration between the State Government and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
In terms of employment generation, over a period of two years, the department recruited as many as 276 people directly. These recruitments were made in the cadres of Deputy Ranger, Forester, Forest Guard, Clerk, etc.
An ultra modern dinosaur park has also been set up at the Zoo
The Wildlife Preservation Department has unveiled the biggest & longest Walk In-Aviary of the country. It is located at the Chhatbir Zoo. An ultra modern dinosaur park has also been set up at the Zoo. The Union Government has identified the 5 wetlands of Punjab for priority development. These wetlands are Harike, Ropar, Kanjhli, Keshopur, and Nangal. An amount of Rs. 25.29 Crore has been kept for the overall development of the various zoos and the wildlife throughout the State.
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