Forest dept to plant six lakh trees in Ahmedabad

As part of its measures to conserve environment, the forest & environment department has decided to undertake a mega tree plantation drive in Ahmedabad.

It has chalked out plans to plant six lakh trees in the city on July 31.

"The tree plantation drive is being undertaken as part of Swarnim Gujarat Prakruti Utsav which will be observed from July 26 to 31. Six lakh trees will be planted across the city on July 31," SK Nanda, principal secretary, forest & environment department, told reporters.

According to officials, the saplings for the massive plantation programme will be provided by forest department. Around one lakh people will be mobilised for the programme.

"We will involve schools, colleges, industries, government bodies and NGOs among others for the programme," he said.

The six-day-long Prakruti Utsav will also include various other programmes to create awareness about environment conservation.

"We will hold cycle rallies and traffic awareness drives among the citizen. A unique exhibition of all eco-friendly products and initiatives in the sector of water, energy, waste and housing will also be held as part of the event," said Dipan Shah, managing coordinator, Society for Environment Protection (SEP), organiser of the event.

The other events include a conference on green building and e-waste. Awards will also be given away for best green belt to large industries as well as SME sector by the forest department, the officials added.