Van Mahotsav Special: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Aims To Plant 16 Crore Saplings This Year To Fight Global Warming

New Delhi: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis kick-started Van Mahotsav week on Sunday by launching an ambitious state-wide plantation campaign that aims to plant 16 crore saplings in a years’ time in Maharashtra. The Chief Minister said, “Another day to serve our Mother Nature! After the successful plantation of 2 crore in 2016 and around 5 crore in 2017, this year we are aiming to plant 16 crore saplings. I know the challenge is big, but our strengths are bigger. Let us come together and contribute!”

To officially launch the campaign, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis planted a Banyan tree in Varap village of Thane district along with State Minister for Forest and Finance Sudhir Mungantiwar and his wife Sapna Mungantiwar.

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While addressing the gathering at this event, Chief Minister added,

Today, tree plantation is no longer confined to government. it has become a mass movement.

Mr Fadnavis further announced the next phase of the campaign which will involve geo-tagging of the planted trees, to monitor their progress and said that the plantation campaign is expected to increase the green cover in the state from 20 per cent to more than 30 per cent.

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He added,

I am happy that by geotagging every plant we are also taking responsibility for the survival of each sapling planted. Today is the day to create history and it is the need of the hour to take our forest cover to 33% to fight ill effects of global warming.

With an appeal to citizens to come forward and do their bit for the environment, Mr Fadnavis signed off by saying,

Today planting 16 crore trees in the state could be considered an impossible task by some people. But, we have to aim high and achieve our goals. I urge everyone to come forward and work for the environment.

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Van Mahotsav, the festival of trees, is celebrated every year in the country from July 1 to July 7, in a bid to raise awareness about the importance of planting trees.

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