Odisha to plant 50 lakh saplings on July 7

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced that a record number of 50 lakh saplings will be planted in a single day on July 7 as part of the observance of the Tree Plantation Day in the state.
Patnaik made the announcement while attending the state level 'Bana Mahostav' organised by the state's forest and environment department.
He said people from all walks of life will take part in the Tree Plantation Day.
Stating that trees are the biggest natural gift to humans, Patnaik asked the school children to plant one sapling each and take care of the plant.
He said the state's forest cover has been enhanced to 35 per cent with an annual increase rate of three per cent for the last five years.

Patnaik also felicitated two 'Bana Surakshya Samitis' of Bolangir and Nabarangpur with Biju Patnaik Forest Protection Award for their contribution in the field of forest conservation.
The chief minister also planted a neem sappling as mark of his participation in the 'Bana Mahostav'.