Punjab forest cover to be enhanced from 7 to 15 pc

Punjab government has decided to enhance forest cover in the state from existing 7 per cent to 15 per cent under 'Greener Punjab Mission'.

Under this mission, 4.75 crore saplings are to be planted each year in the state.

This mission would continue for 8 years, Forest Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani said in a release.

He said the department would plant/distribute 475 lakh saplings for an estimated area of 20,000 hectare at an investment of Rs 122.42 crore in 2013-14.