Chandigarh, March 21
Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Shivraj V Patil has called for a crusade against degradation of environmental heritage and loss of forest cover adding that conservation of flora and fauna and preservation of forest resources is essential for maintaining the ecological balance and livelihood security.
Patil today planted a Buddha coconut tree to mark the World Forestry Day celebrations at Nepli Forests in the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary near here.
Speaking after launching a “green action plan” for the year 2010-11, Patil said on this day we were reminded of the duty to maintain the ecological balance and environmental stability and the need to save forest resources.
Pradip Mehra, Adviser to Administrator, said in the recent past, the green cover of Chandigarh had increased tremendously and the Chandigarh Administration was committed to increase it further by undertaking short and long-term measures.
Sanjay Kumar, secretary forests, said a target had been fixed to plant 1.9 lakh saplings in Chandigarh during the year 2010-2011.
Ishwar Singh, director forest, assured that suggestions and guidelines given to them would be implemented effectively.