Ranchi, July 21: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has directed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan to expand tree plantation in urban areas, proposing an incentive under which citizens would receive five units of free electricity for planting a tree.
The proposal was discussed during a review meeting of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, where the Chief Minister stressed the need to strengthen environmental conservation through greater public participation and effective implementation of government schemes.
Soren instructed officials to launch large-scale plantation drives in cities to increase green cover, improve ecological balance and help reduce pollution.
He said the proposed electricity incentive should be implemented in a way that encourages people to actively contribute to environmental protection.
The Chief Minister also called for strict enforcement of environmental protection and pollution control measures.
He directed the department to organise awareness campaigns highlighting the harmful effects of pollution and the importance of tree plantation.
Reviewing the progress of forest welfare programmes, Soren instructed officials to ensure the timely and transparent implementation of all schemes.
He also asked authorities to expedite the disposal of pending forest rights claims so that eligible beneficiaries receive their entitlements without delay.
The meeting also focused on promoting commercial forestry.
The Chief Minister directed officials to encourage the cultivation of commercially valuable tree species such as teak, mahogany, bamboo and Arjun, saying the initiative could generate additional income for farmers, create employment opportunities and strengthen the rural economy.
He further emphasised that forest-based development programmes should improve the livelihoods of tribal communities and people dependent on forest resources while ensuring sustainable management of natural resources.
Officials were also asked to regularly monitor the implementation of departmental projects and ensure that environmental initiatives produce measurable results in line with the state’s conservation and development goals.
