Forest & Wildlife Preservation Department Spent Rs. 155 Crore On Various Works During 2024-25: Lal Chand Kataruchak

Apr17,2025 | Gautam Jalandhari | Chandigarh

· State Government constantly engaged in increasing forest cover: Cabinet Minister

· Minister emphasizes planting of fruit trees in ‘Nanak Bagichis’ & ‘Pavittar Vans’

· Focus must be on developing infrastructure at Wildlife sanctuaries & creating environment parks

The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is constantly striving to increase the forest cover in the State so as to leave a cleaner and greener environment for the future generations. Hence, the Forest and Wildlife Preservation department is undertaking various projects to ensure the achievement of the objective.

This was stated by the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak in a meeting held at Forest Complex in Sector-68 to review the projects undertaken by the department in 2024-25 and futuristic works to be taken up in 2025-26.

The Minister was apprised that approximately Rs. 155 Crore have been spent on different works during 2024-25. About the plantation works as well as the toilets constructed in the nurseries of the State for the convenience of the female employees, it was brought to the notice of the Minister that toilets were constructed in 100 nurseries during 2023-24, 78 nurseries in the 2024-25 season while toilets would be coming up during the 2025-26 season in the rest of the nurseries. The target for the present season is to plant nearly 1 crore saplings regarding which the Minister directed the officials to ensure proper care & maintenance.

Regarding the tree census, the Minister was apprised that the process is Enumeration and it is undertaken after every 5 years with respect to the trees standing on the banks of roads and canals.

The Minister directed the planting of more fruit trees in the ‘Nanak Bagichis’ and the ‘Pavittar Vans’ such as Jamun, Bohar and Amla trees and exhorted the DFOs, who were present through VC, to undertake plantation along the highways. He also said that focus should be on developing environment parks and expanding the facilities and infrastructure at wildlife sanctuaries viz. Kathlour Wildlife Sanctuary, Sohian Bir area and other scenic spots such as Bamiyal.

Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) Dharminder Sharma, APCCF cum CEO, PUNCAMPA Saurav Gupta and APCCF (Administration) Basanta Raj Kumar.

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