Forest dept to plant 1 cr saplings in one day

To increase the dwindling green cover in the state in the wake of drought and prolonged monsoon, the state Forest Department is on a mission to plant one crore saplings in a single day. 

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Ashok Kumar Singh told Deccan Herald that they have a target to plant eight crore saplings. In this, one crore saplings will be planted in just one day across the state. The date is getting finalised based on the convenience of the ministers and officials across the state. Areas are being search in Bengaluru city and across the state for this purpose, he added. He said the department has a large number of saplings. Many people have also shown keen interest to buy saplings and join hands with the department to be a part of the plantation drive, he noted. 

Since this is the first time such a massive plantation drive, the department is also planning to make a documentary on this programme and is finalising the directors, camera persons and team members, he said.   

The BBMP has also decided to plant 1.2 lakh saplings this year in the city. The BBMP Forest Cell said it planted 45,000 saplings in 2014-15.The civic body aims to plant 100 saplings (all native species) in all 198 wards on account of World Environment Day.