CM Sukhu will officially launch the state-level Van Mahotsav on August 14 at Nihari in Ghumarwin. According to Dr. Sanjay Sood, Head of Forest Force (HoFF) and Chief Project Director of the JICA Forestry Project, the Chief Minister will distribute saplings to local students and environmental volunteers during the event. Following a statewide virtual meeting with Divisional Forest Officers, Dr. Sood instructed the Bilaspur Forest Circle and Division to ensure all event arrangements are thoroughly executed.
The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department has set an ambitious target to plant 50 lakh (5 million) saplings across 7,000 to 8,000 hectares during the ongoing monsoon season, with around 4,000 hectares designated under the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana. Planting drives are running at full scale across various forest divisions, tailored to local climates and geographical conditions. Notably, this year’s efforts include the introduction of Chinar trees alongside other native species, all serving the state’s broader “Mission-32” initiative to expand green cover to 32 percent by 2030.
Supporting these broader targets, the JICA Forestry Project aims to plant saplings across 500 hectares this season. Between 2018 and 2025, the JICA initiative successfully revitalized 8,343 hectares across 22 forest divisions, in addition to covering 124 hectares last year under the Mukhyamantri Van Vistar Yojana. Combining government resources with community involvement, Dr. Sood emphasized the critical role of public participation, calling on residents statewide to support the campaign and contribute to long-term forest conservation.
सशक्त पंचायत और आत्मनिर्भर महिलाएं सरकार की प्राथमिकता: अनिरुद्ध सिंह
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
