Forest Dept begins to plant saplings - Ditch Drain

10000 saplings to be planted by Aug 15

Praful C Nagpal

Fazilka, August 1
The forest department, Punjab, has initiated an ambitious project to bring more area under afforestation in the Fazilka sub-division. Under the project, it has started planting saplings on the eastern bank of the Ditch Drain on the border road. So far, more than 6000 saplings have been planted on the vacant track on the bank of the seepage drain.

"We would achieve the target of planting 10000 saplings in the first phase till August 15," claimed Forest Range Official, Jasbir Singh Grewal.

The Tribune had highlighted in these columns more than a month ago that the forest department has turned a blind eye to the fact that a vast track of about 18.5 kilometers and about 100 feet wide from village Sabuana to village Dilawar Bhaini on the eastern bank of the Ditch Drain is lying vacant for the last 10 years and afforestation can easily be carried out there.

After the highlighting of these facts, the Deputy District Forest Officer, Ferozepur, Daljit Singh visited the Ditch Drain and worked out an ambitious project.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100802/bathinda.htm#8