Haryana to impose 5-year-ban on tree felling

Felling of trees will be banned in Haryana for five years to increase the forest cover in the state, a senior officer said on Tuesday.

Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) R.R. Jowel said the move was aimed at increasing the forest cover in the state.

The state's notified forest area is less than four per cent of its total geographical area.

Haryana is an agrarian state with nearly 80 per cent of the total area of 44,212 square km being under cultivation.

"Those trees that have withered or are required to be removed because of a development project would be allowed only after seeking approval of the concerned authorities," Jowel said.

Jowel directed the forest department officials that trees be planted along all national and state highways, district and village roads without delay.

Directions have also been issued to identify and purchase land under the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) head to increase green cover in the state.

The emphasis is on the need to develop dense linear forest patches.

--IANS

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