Mumbai: Working towards its vision of a Green Maharashtra, the State government on Sunday started a campaign to plant 13 crore tree saplings in next one year. It also launched the country’s first forest helpline, which will extend all necessary information related to tree plantation and conservation.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who inaugurated the plantation drive in Warap village, Thane district, said, “When the government had announced its plan to plant 50 crore saplings in three years, it was ridiculed by many. Over the last two years, the Forest department is implementing the campaign and I’m sure this year it will be successful in planting 13 crore saplings across the State.”
The dedicated forest helpline number 1926 was commissioned into use by State Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar. “Hello Forest is the country’s first helpline dedicated to forests. Maharashtra is doing pioneering work in tree plantation, which will be noticed by all the States.”
From builders to religious gurus and corporate houses to film stars, the State government is seeking participation from all sections of society to achieve its target. The programme was attended by spiritual guru Jaggi Vasudev, film director Subhash Ghai and leading personalities from various streams.
The government is also encouraging expansion of the Green Army, a volunteer-based group, which has nearly 48 lakh people registered as members. The government hopes this figure will touch one crore by year-end. In the last month, the department has held meetings with various builders, corporate houses and NGOs for their participation.
The government has also appealed to urban residents to actively participate in the drive. Mr. Mungantiwar has written to all municipal commissioners, mayors, municipal council heads and chief executive officers of councils, appealing for their participation. Last year, the Forest department had planned on planting over four crore saplings.