Enhancing Green Cover in HP

Not too long ago, a vast stretch of approximately ten acres of forest land in Parohi and Sangirthi of Bandladhar in the Bilaspur zone of Himachal Pradesh remained barren. The terrain was rocky, with minimal soil depth, making the idea of growing trees there seem implausible. However, today, this unproductive land is transforming into a verdant landscape, with 11,000 saplings of various tree species taking root. Sarita Brara informs that this transformation is attributed to the state government's Mukhya Mantri Van Vistaar Yojana (MMVVY), which aims to enhance green cover across thousands of hectares of barren forest land throughout the state. The MMVVY was officially introduced in 2023.

Avast expanse of about ten acres of forest land in Parohi and Sangirthi of Bandladhar in Bilaspur zone in Himachal Pradesh lay barren not too long ago. The area was rocky and the soil depth at that place was almost negligible. Growing trees there was almost unthinkable. Today, one can see this unproductive land turning green with 11,000 saplings of different varieties of trees taking roots. Thanks to the state government’s Mukhya Mantri Van Vistaar Yojana (MMVVY) aimed at expanding green cover to thousands of hectares of barren forest land across the state. MMVVY was notified in 2023.

A target of expanding green cover to 250 hectares of barren forest land was set under the state’s flagship programme for the financial year 2023–24. “We had to import soil and transport it to the site, especially for the upper ridges to plant the saplings,” says Awani Bhushan Rai who was DFO Bilaspur when the MMVVY was notified and implementation started in the last rainy season. He says that digging pits for plantations in the rocky area was another challenge they faced.