Dr B Thomas (Special correspondent)
E 
ach one should plant five saplings and play an active role in the afforestation programmes,Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.
The Chief Minister in his address after inaugurating a Tree Park at Machohalli said, Bengaluru is growing at unimaginable pace.The city is witnessing huge industrialisation.
Special programme for Green cover around Bengaluru
The Chief Minister instructed the Forest department officials to chalk out a special programme to create green cover around Bengaluru through afforestation and developing more tree parks.
Rs.100 cr annual grant for afforestation
The state budget has an exclusive Ecological Budget of Rs100 cr for the first time. It would be used to offset the ecological deficit or loss that is happening.
The Forest department has been instructed to formulate an action plan to implement the plan to offset the ecological deficit on an annual basis.
An annual outlay of Rs.100 cr would be provided for the purpose, Bommai said.
The rules and regulations for cultivating Sandal trees has been simplified a special ‘Beejotsava’ programme has been launched for afforestation in lands identified as Forest lands, he said.
Bommai exhorted the students to take the lead in afforestation programmes by planting the saplings and nurturing them.
Referring to Prime Minister Modi’s call for Swachh Bharat,Bommai called upon the people to build a Green India.
He wanted the Forest department to increase the forest cover in the state from the present 21% to 30%.
