45 lakh medicinal plants to be planted in Himachal Pradesh

The state forest department would plant 45 lakh medicinal plants and herbs across Himachal Pradesh, state health minister Kaul Singh said on Saturday.

Presiding over the Van Mahotsav organised by the state Red Cross Society at Raj Bhawan, Singh said that a provision of Rs 126 crore has been made for afforestation, fencing of forests and survival of plants while

Rs three crore would be spent on plantation of medicinal herbs and plants. Singh, who planted a sapling of "sandalwood" said that a target of bringing 17,500 hectare of area under plantation had been fixed and five lakh students from over 3000 schools had been involved in the afforestation campaign.

The minister called upon NGOs to come forward for planting saplings and preserving the environment of the state which is a pre-requisite need for healthy ambiance.