Government committed to increase area under forest: Khattar

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today directed the Forest Department to identity 50 to 100 acres of land in the low lying areas adjoining Yamuna river and Delhi to construct reservoirs.
"This would not only help in conservation of water, but would also increase the land under forest. The State Government is committed to increase the area under forest," Khattar said.
Khattar, who was presiding over a meeting to review the functioning of Forest Department here, also asked the Department to find ways and means to transfer such land to the forest department which is lying unused in different parts of the State so as to develop forestry.

"The Department can identify land in the areas of Faridabad, Rohtak and Jhajjar and adjoining river Yamuna for setting up reservoirs. The land could later be transferred to the Forest Department," Khattar added.
He also stressed the need to encourage farmers to plant saplings of commercial value so as to increase their income and added that special emphasis should be given on their survival.
The Chief Minister directed the officers to prepare a mechanism to provide online information about the number of saplings planted in an area and number of plant survived so as to ensure transparency.

He directed the officers to hire volunteers who would every month visit the areas to be assigned to them to look after the plants.

These volunteers would get certificate from the State Government for their contribution, he added.
It was informed in the meeting that out of the 11 Eco Sensitive Zones identified in the State, ten have been approved by the State Government barring the Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary in district Panchkula which is in the advanced stage of approval.