9L saplings planted in J'khand as part of govt's green drive

Nine lakh saplings were planted today across 24 river banks in the state as part of the Jharkhand government's initiative to protect the environment, an official release said.

The state aims to plant 2.40 crore saplings by August 15, it said.

At a programme organised by the forest and environment department at Namkum block in Ranchi on this occasion, Chief Minister Raghubar Das said the green drive would save the river banks from erosion and retain moisture in the ground.

"Last year, 2.75 crore saplings were planted on 19,700 hectares of land and 4600 hectares of natural forests were rehabilitated," the release said quoting Das.

The government has offered 75 per cent subsidy on saplings to encourage people to take part in the plantation drive, it said.

The forest department has decided to plant 2.50 crore saplings over 16,000 hectares of land next year, the release added.