Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane on Monday said 1.25 lakh saplings would be planted on a single day for the first time in the history of the forest department.
Rane was speaking to reporters after a plantation drive as part of Vanamahotsava festival at INS Hansa in the presence of Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho, Flag Officer Goa Naval Area (FOGA) Rear Admiral Vikram Menon, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Rajiv Kumar Gupta and other officials.
While each of the dignitaries planted a sapling, a ‘Free Distribution of Seedlings Van’ was also launched by Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane from INS Hansa.
"For the first time in the history of the forest department, we will plant 1.25 lakh saplings throughout the State on a single day and we will also look into the maintenance of the saplings. We want to conserve forest and increase the forest cover," said Rane.
"We are creating more camping sites within the forest and conducting camping trails, eco-trails and we will also invite the Navy and systematically create an environment and work out ways to make the Goans fall in love the forests," said Rane.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Rajiv Kumar Gupta said the 73rd Vanamahotsava was a month-long forest plantation festival celebrated in July across India.
"We have launched the Free Distribution of Seedlings Van and the free distribution of seedlings will be available for the people of Goa for this whole month. As a mark of Vanamahotsava coinciding with the 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, plantation of 75,000 seedlings is being targeted in different places of Goa and various other activities including nature walk, seminars and competitions are proposed to be held this month to create awareness on forests," said Gupta.
FOGA Vikram Menon said the Navy would reaffirm its promise to continue to support the environment.
