9.58 lakh saplings planted in Ghaziabad

Over 9 lakh saplings were planted by government departments in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad district on Friday as part of a plantation drive, "Vriksharopan Mahakumbh", to mark the 77th anniversary of the Quit India Movement, officials said.

In a massive drive today, 9.58 lakh saplings were planted by the departments against a target of 8.15 lakh fixed by the state government, District Information Officer (DIO) Rakesh Singh Chauhan said.

Besides government departments, non-governmental organisations, educational societies, schools and business houses participated in the plantation drive, he said.

District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey had exhorted the residents of Ghaziabad to participate in the drive, he added.

Pandey termed the day "historic".

"Trees older than 100 years will be conserved by the Forest Department. Cutting trees is a punishable offence. The Forest Department will not even grant permission for construction of housing societies," he said.