Bhubaneswar: Odisha Forest and Environment Department (OFD) celebrated the International day of Forests on Tuesday here at Jayadev Bhawan, with an objective to generate awareness among the people about the importance and significance of forests and plants and the scores of benefits which are gained from them.
Inaugurating the state-level program, CM Naveen Patnaik said,” The state government is trying the best ways to keep safe the forest and enlarge the vast forest area of the state. The state government is planning to rejuvenate the 2.65 lakh hectares deforested area.”
Patnaik has appealed people of the state to resolve to not only save greenery and forest produce but also plant maximum trees and protect them. He said the government plans to plant 7.77 crore trees in forest and non-forest areas across the state to symbolize preservation and creation of forest.
According to the officials of forest department, over 681 lakh trees have been planted in the state in the year 2015.
Forest and Environment Department Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha, OFD Secretary Suresh Mohapatra and other senior forest officials were also present on the occasion.