Odisha is all set for extensive plantation to enhancing employment generation in the post-lockdown

Bhubaneswar:29/6/20: In another step towards enhancing employment generation in the post-lockdown scenario, State is all set for extensive plantation during the current year. This was known from a high-level meeting held under Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sri Asit Tripathy in Lokseva Bhawan Conference hall today wherein Additional Chief Secretary Forest & Environment Dr Mona Sharma outlined the financial and administrative facets of the programme for discussion.

Reviewing the preparedness, Chief Secretary Sri Tripathy directed to plant the older plants and make all watch and ward arrangements for ensuring higher survival and growth rate. Sri Tripathy emphasized on creation of more employment opportunities through plantation. Various departments were asked to take up extensive greenery activities through their field-level offices, NGOs, Eco Clubs, Biju Yoba Bahini, NSS, NCC, and sports clubs. The plants would also be distributed to the people for planting in their private lands.

Further, Chief Secretary Sri Tripathy directed to put in place a web-based system for real-time monitoring and supervision of the programme. The department was asked to form district-level committees under Chairmanship of the Collector for proper coordination and implementation at the ground level. The DFO headquarters would work as Plantation Officer in the district. Chief Secretary directed all districts to have their own micro-level work plan for plantation.

Development Commissioner Sri Suresh Chandra Mohapatra advised disseminating nursery wise availability of the seedlings along with mobile number of the officer-in-charge of the nursery the through public domain for information of the people. Housing &Urban Development department was asked to develop block plantation sites in urban centers which also would be used by people for open space recreation.

PCCF Sri Sandeep Tripathy appraised, “This year all-time high number of seedlings have been raised in the 5222 nurseries”. So far, around 13.11 cr seedlings of various varieties like medicinal plants, fruit-bearing species, timber species, multi-purpose plants, aesthetic and shade bearing species, endangered species have been raised.

Development Commissioner Sri Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Additional Chief Secretary Forest & Environment Dr Mona Sharma, Principal  Secretary Panchayati Raj and Drinking water  Sri Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, Principal  Secretary Agriculture Sri Saurabh Garg, Principal  Secretary Housing & Urban Development Sri G.Mathivathana,  PCCF Sri Sandeep Tripathy, Secretary Special Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disability Sri Bhaskarjyoti Sharma along with senior officers of concerned departments participated in the discussions.