Chandigarh, August 11: Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, on the occasion of Hariyali Teej, today virtually inaugurated 'Lado ki Bagiya' Oxyvan built on 5 acres of land at village Khanpur Khurd in Jhajjar district. The initiative is a part of the campaign launched by the State Government of setting up Oxy-vans across the state.
In today’s ‘Lado ki Bagiya' programme about 500 saplings were planted by 500 daughters, who have decided to take care of these trees.
Extending his best wishes, Chief Minister said that the festival of Teej brings greenery and prosperity. On the occasion of Teej, he encouraged the daughters to shine bright in every field.
"Every daughter should be given a chance to shine", said Sh. Manohar Lal.
He said that trees are 'Paranvayu Devta'. At present, trees are planted on about 7 percent area in the state and now the target has been set to increase this to 10 percent. For this, 3 crore saplings will be planted in Haryana during the monsoon season.
The Chief Minister said that in order to promote the conservation of trees in Haryana, a provision has been made for giving a pension amount of Rs.2500 for the trees above the age of 75 years. Along with this, the farmers who plant trees in their fields will be given Rs. 10,000 for a period of three years.
He said that 134 villages come under the 48-kos parikrama route of Kurukshetra, on which the State Government will plant Panchavati having five different types of trees. Their protection and care has been entrusted to the Van Mitras.
The government has created 'Haryana Forest Management Information System App' for sharing information related to the availability of plants. On this app, people can get information about the places where different types of plants are available. With this the State Government has also set up 60 herbal parks in Haryana and soon four more will be set up at different places.
He informed that medicinal forest is being developed on about 5000 acres of land in Morni area. Flower cultivation is being done in Gurugram and Rewari, and the same is being promoted on 116 acres of land in Murthal and 11 acres in Yamunanagar.
The Chief Minister said that the concept of oxyvan, which was started from Panchkula and Karnal, is now being adopted across the state. Students, youth, voluntary organizations and social organizations are actively participating in this and their efforts deserve applause.
“In our scriptures, trees are considered auspicious and are symbolic of creation and that is why they are worshipped," said Sh. Manohar Lal.
Forest and Education Minister, Sh. Kanwarpal while congratulating the people of the state on Teej festival said that 'Lado ki Bagiya' is one of its kind initiative, which is a commendable work.
On this festival, the state government dedicates 'Lado ki Bagiya' to daughters and environment lovers, said Sh. Kanwarpal
He said that oxyvan is being developed on government and private land in the state and efforts are being made to make the irrigated land as green area with the cooperation of the common people.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Jhajjar, Sh. Shyam Lal Punia said that inspired by Chief Minister’s vision of setting up oxyvan across the State, a target of setting up as many as nine such oxyvan has been set by the district administration and the work related to this would be completed soon.
In this programme, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Amit Agrawal and Rohtak MP, Sh. Arvind Sharma and a large number of daughters and dignitaries of the area joined through virtual medium.