The West Bengal Forest department on Tuesday signed a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with public sector organisations and institutions to support large-scale plantation drives.
An MoU was signed with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, for the plantation of six lakh saplings on port land.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) announced a major mangrove plantation initiative in Purba Medinipur, while Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), the State Bank of India (SBI) and Punjab National Bank (PNB) also committed to plantation programmes across different districts.
Speaking at the programme where he also inaugurated the Forest Week, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the state has fixed a target of planting 7.2 crore trees during the current year. The ultimate aim was to take the number to 10 crore this year by involving government agencies, industries and the public.
“Against a target of seven lakh saplings on 5 June 5, World Environment Day, more than nine lakh trees were planted across the state,” he said.
He instructed the Forest department to distribute fruit-bearing saplings at around 70 major Rath Yatra venues across the state and said the Pollution Control Board had been directed to undertake large-scale distribution of coconut saplings to help reduce the impact of lightning strikes in vulnerable areas.
Stressing that the survival of saplings was more important than the number planted, Adhikari recalled his tenure as Chairman of the Haldia Development Authority.
“If we planted 1,000 trees, only around 500 survived after three years. Planting is not enough; maintenance is equally important,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with other states, Adhikari noted that Uttar Pradesh had announced a target of planting 26 crore trees and urged Members of Parliament, MLAs, panchayats and municipalities to compete in plantation drives.
“Let there be healthy competition among elected representatives to plant and nurture more trees,” he said.