In financial year 2018-19, West Bengal created tree cover of more than 5,000 hectares

West Bengal has created tree cover of more than 5,000 hectares in financial year 2018-19. This was revealed by the state forest minister in the assembly recently.

The tree cover in the state currently amounts to 15.50 per cent of the total area of the state and the total forest cover is 13.38 per cent.

Saplings of trees like sal, segun, mahogany, mango, jamun, haritaki and others, totalling 1,08,28,000, have been planted to create the cover.

The state government distribute saplings during the week when Van Mahotasav(for seven days from July 14) is celebrated and also and at other times all through the year. Then, as part of the Sabujshree Scheme saplings of commercially valuable trees are given to mothers of newborns to plant so that the trees can be sold after 18 years and the money used to fund the child’s higher education.

The minister also informed the assembly that forest preservation is being done in the Sundarbans using the process of GIS tagging. Mangrove trees are also being planted.