Railways, govt sign MoU to increase green cover in state

With the State forest department's ambitious plan to plant four crore trees between July 1 and 7 facing land availability issues, the forest department has decided to tie up with the Indian Railways to ensure that increasing green cover does not hit a road block.

On Saturday, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Indian Railways and the Forest department giving the green signal for plantation to be carried out near railway lines as well as properties this year onwards.

"We are on a mission to increase the tree cover. We were looking at possible places where trees can be planted apart from forest land. Since 2015, we have been pursuing the matter with the railways, which has 5,000 properties across the state, so that we can start plantation," said State Forest Minister Sudhir Munganitwar, adding that they are aiming for a target of planting 25 crore trees till 2019.

The minister said that while the railways has given them a list of sites, only those with availability of water supply, proper security and good soil would be chosen. "We are also exploring possibility of planting trees at a safe distance from the tracks," said Mungantiwar.

GOING GREEN

The state forest department started initiative to increase the forest cover from 20 per cent to 30 per cent under State Forest Minister Sudhir Munganitwar, which saw 2.83 crore trees planted in 2016.