<p>Kalaburagi: Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre said the department would take measures to plant 28 lakh saplings this year in Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Bidar, Raichur and Koppal districts in Kalyana Karnataka. </p><p>Speaking after launching the afforestation drive under Vana Mahotsava, Hasiru Patha and Hasiru Hejje campaign here on Saturday, he said tall seedlings would be planted on the roadside to reduce the air pollution level in the region. </p><p>He said the drive is a part of the government's effort to enhance the forest cover in the region from 5% to state average of 21%. Awareness is being created to encourage planting of more trees as climate change has been causing adverse effect on the environment. The factory emissions have led to pollution of air and water. The forest cover is getting depleted in the name of the development. Therefore, a plan is afoot to plant one crore saplings annually in five districts of Kalyana Karnataka region for the next two years, he explained.</p><p>"More people died due to the natural disasters following climate change. The farmers are suffering loss of crops as a month's worth of rain is falling in a single day. Many people fell prey to corona virus as they could not get oxygen. Therefore, there is a need to grow more trees to improve the forest cover", the minister said. </p><p><strong>Survival rate</strong></p><p>Pointing out that the details about the survival rate of the planted saplings are being recorded through geo-tag for effective growth monitoring with the help of third-party inspection, Eshwar Khandre said that the department has cleared around 6,500 acres of encroached land in the state during last two years and planted over eight crore trees.</p><p>He also assured to develop the Chandrampalli in Chincholi taluk into eco-tourism park with financial assistance from the forest department and KKRDB. </p><p>Emphasising the need to stop the use of plastic, he said that single-use plastic has been banned in Karnataka and more awareness would be conducted among the general public in this regard.</p><p>Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman B R Patil urged the state government to improve the forest cover through bringing necessary amendment to the existing laws. </p><p>District In-charge Minister Priyank Kharge, MP Radhakrishna Doddamani, MLAs M Y Patil, Allamaprabhu Patil, MLCs Tippannappa Kamakanur, Shashil Namoshi, Jagadev Guttedar and Chandrasekhar Patil, former ministers Baburao Chinchansur, Revu Naik Belamagi, Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Tarannum, Police Commissioner Sharanappa S D, ZP CEO Bhanwar Singh Meena, SP Adduru Srinivasalu, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Shinde Avinash, Deputy Conservator of Forests Sumeet Kumar Patil and others were present.</p>
<p>Kalaburagi: Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre said the department would take measures to plant 28 lakh saplings this year in Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Bidar, Raichur and Koppal districts in Kalyana Karnataka. </p><p>Speaking after launching the afforestation drive under Vana Mahotsava, Hasiru Patha and Hasiru Hejje campaign here on Saturday, he said tall seedlings would be planted on the roadside to reduce the air pollution level in the region. </p><p>He said the drive is a part of the government's effort to enhance the forest cover in the region from 5% to state average of 21%. Awareness is being created to encourage planting of more trees as climate change has been causing adverse effect on the environment. The factory emissions have led to pollution of air and water. The forest cover is getting depleted in the name of the development. Therefore, a plan is afoot to plant one crore saplings annually in five districts of Kalyana Karnataka region for the next two years, he explained.</p><p>"More people died due to the natural disasters following climate change. The farmers are suffering loss of crops as a month's worth of rain is falling in a single day. Many people fell prey to corona virus as they could not get oxygen. Therefore, there is a need to grow more trees to improve the forest cover", the minister said. </p><p><strong>Survival rate</strong></p><p>Pointing out that the details about the survival rate of the planted saplings are being recorded through geo-tag for effective growth monitoring with the help of third-party inspection, Eshwar Khandre said that the department has cleared around 6,500 acres of encroached land in the state during last two years and planted over eight crore trees.</p><p>He also assured to develop the Chandrampalli in Chincholi taluk into eco-tourism park with financial assistance from the forest department and KKRDB. </p><p>Emphasising the need to stop the use of plastic, he said that single-use plastic has been banned in Karnataka and more awareness would be conducted among the general public in this regard.</p><p>Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman B R Patil urged the state government to improve the forest cover through bringing necessary amendment to the existing laws. </p><p>District In-charge Minister Priyank Kharge, MP Radhakrishna Doddamani, MLAs M Y Patil, Allamaprabhu Patil, MLCs Tippannappa Kamakanur, Shashil Namoshi, Jagadev Guttedar and Chandrasekhar Patil, former ministers Baburao Chinchansur, Revu Naik Belamagi, Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Tarannum, Police Commissioner Sharanappa S D, ZP CEO Bhanwar Singh Meena, SP Adduru Srinivasalu, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Shinde Avinash, Deputy Conservator of Forests Sumeet Kumar Patil and others were present.</p>
