Maharashtra’s 50 crore Tree Plantation Drive Becomes a Mass Movement

New Delhi, Aug 4:  Continuing with its resolve to make Maharashtra a Green State, and to attain the target of forest cover of 33% of its total land area, the State Government has embarked on an ambitious mega tree plantation campaign where it recently attained its target of planting 13 crore trees and registering it in the Limca Book of World Records for the month of July.

The Department of Revenue and Forests, Government of Maharashtra had initiated the first phase of this mission started on the Independence Day, 15^th August 2015. Each school was given the responsibility of planting at least 20 trees.  That very day, three million trees were planted across the State.  During the same period, six new schemes were planned for plantation on Non-forest areas through the Department of Social Forestry: Greening of Hills, Plantation along either sides of roads, canals and railways, Maintenance of biodiversity of Non-forest areas such as wet lands, lakes, Late Shri Uttamrao Patil Bio-Diversity Parks, Botanical Garden at Visapur in Chandrapur and Modernization and Strengthening of 350 Nurseries at District and Taluka Level using state-of-the-art technology and developing High-Tech Nurseries.

Ever since the mission started in 2016, with the state government planting 2.82 crore seedlings, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi took its cognizance in ‘Mann ki Baat’ on 31^st July, 2016.  He also made a mention about Shri Mehtre from Narayangaon of Pune District distributing Mango plants on his daughter’s wedding ceremony as a return gift to all his guests.

13 Crore Plantation Drive Inaugurated on 1^st July, 2018

The proposal to launch Grand Campaign of 13 Crore Tree Plantation Programme started from 1^st July, 2018 at ‘Varap village’ of Kalyan Taluka in Thane District. The 13 crore tree plantation drive was successfully implemented by a record plantation of 15 crore, 88 lakh, 71 thousand and 352 trees till 31^st July, 2018. It was much more than targeted.

“Tree Ganesha”, Doctors Contributing Through “Kitty Funds” For Plantation

Even the Doctors have come forward to contribute in this infectious drive. Doctors from Solapur contribute an amount of Rs 2000/- every month in the form of ‘Kitty fund’.  The Doctor, who wins the monthly draw arranges for tree plantation in his area, thus contributing towards the society and protecting the environment.  Nowadays, the devotees of Lord Ganesha, have come up with the idea of ‘Tree Ganesha’. On the visarjan day, they immerse the Ganesh idol at home in an earthen pot, thus naming as Tree Ganesha. The Plantation Programme undertaken by Maharashtra Government has created large scale awareness amongst the public. Individuals, Organizations, various sections of society, Institutions like Judiciary have also become aware about the tree plantation and their protection.

It is really astonishing and appreciating that, the Village of Sangamner in Ahmednagar District has discontinued the practice of the tradition of funeral rites (Astivisarjan).  Instead of emersions of the Asthi in a holy river, the planting of fruit tree in the deceased’s name has been started in front of their house as a memory of their dear ones.

Measures To Enhance Transparency Taken Up For Tree Plantation Awareness

In order to ensure transparency in providing information to people on tree plantation, a special IT programme has been developed by the Forest Department. Information relating to plantation sites, Geo-Tagging, number of pits dug, available manpower, availability of saplings in nurseries, survival ratio of planted saplings is recorded and monitored in the ‘Command Control Room’ in the office of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests at Nagpur.

 A Mobile App, “My Plant” has been started where in Individuals, Private organizations, NGOs, Social, Spiritual, Volunteers and SHGs can participate and download this App. A dedicated website, www.greenarmy.mahaforest.gov.in has been launched for the same purpose, in which people from all walks of life can register themselves.

Target To Plant 50 Crore Trees Till July 2019

Encouraged and motivated by the tremendous response elicited from all the netizens of the State, the Government has planted more than 17 crore trees so far. The Maharashtra Government had designed a 50 crore plantation programme for the coming three years beginning from July 2017.  Till 31^st July, 2019, 33 crore tree plantations would be completed and this would mark the beginning of a New and Green Maharashtra.  

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