Bhubaneswar:1/7/17: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday announced that a record number of 50 lakh saplings will be planted in a single day on July 7 as part of the observance of the Tree Plantation Day in the state.
CM Naveen Patnaik made the announcement while attending the state level Bana Mahostav organised by the states forest and environment department.
He said people from all walks of life will take part in the Tree Plantation Day.
Stating that trees are the biggest natural gift to humans, CM asked the school children to plant one sapling each and take care of the plant.
He said the states forest cover has been enhanced to 35 per cent with an annual increase rate of three per cent for the last five years.
He also felicitated two Bana Surakshya Samitis of Bolangir and Nabarangpur with Biju Patnaik Forest Protection Award for their contribution in the field of forest conservation.
The chief minister also planted a neem sappling as mark of his participation in the Bana Mahostav.