Forest dept contributes lakhs of trees for Harela festival

DEHRADUN: Harela, a festival unique to Uttarakhand, is being celebrated across the state today. The festival stresses the importance of the environment and the need for conservation of the green cover and is marked by tree plantation drives and green cover awareness. During the celebrations last year, the forest dept had contributed over 5 lakh trees which were planted by various state government departments in their premises and public places over a period of one month. This year, the officials are hoping that the plantation mark would cross last year's record as school premises have also been added in the plantation drive.


Rajender Mahajan, principal chief conservator of forests said, "The forest department contribute the tree species as per the altitude For plantation. For plain areas, we give plants of lemon, orange, amla, blue berries while for higher elevation, plants of timla, kaafal etc is given for plantation. Harela fall during the Monsoon, when plants grow much faster."


He said that it is expected that the staff of these departments will ensure maintenance of these plants in future. He said, the forest department has also kept aside a fund of Rs 6.50 crore as from which those citizens who have planted and maintained a tree for three years will be given an incentive of Rs 300.
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