Over 17 lakh saplings distributed free of cost in 2 months: Pb minister

Over 17 lakh saplings were distributed free to the people in Punjab during the past two months, the state Forest Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot said today.

He said that 17,86,973 saplings were distributed under the 'Ghar Ghar Hariyali' campaign in various camps, programmes and nurseries.

As part of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's 'Tandarust Punjab Mission', the forest department has chalked out a special campaign called 'Ghar Ghar Hariyali', he said.

To increase the state's green cover, the Punjab government had over a month back launched a smartphone application 'I-Hariyali' that allows users order free saplings, officials said.

The app aims to inspire people to plant more saplings, they added.

According to the minister, the objective of the 'Ghar Ghar Hariyali' campaign is to provide clean and fresh air as well as a green and clean environment to the people of the state.

Dharamsot said the youth were playing an important role in carrying forward this movement.

He said if the people of Punjab take a pledge to plant more and more saplings besides ensuring their proper maintenance, the state would once again be lush with greenery.