By  Bhupen Goswami

Guwahati : Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Thursday launched a state-wide tree plantation programme. As a part of the drive, which is known as ‘Clean-Green Arunachal Campaign 2019’, one lakh saplings will be planted across the state within the next 24 hours, with grander plans to plant 5 crore saplings within the next 5 years.   Speaking on the occasion at the Art of Living campus at Jollang near here, Khandu said the drive, which is being held as a part of Van Mahotsav celebrations, is being carried out by the state forest department and aims to plant one crore tree within the next five years. Arunachal is known globally for its huge forest cover and is considered one of the eighteen biodiversity hotspots in the world,” he said.

He also called upon the forest department to come up with a vision to preserve the special connection that tribal people share with forests and also help them draw economic benefits from the forests in a sustainable manner. Khandu also took to Twitter to intimate Twitterati about the administration’s grand designs to beautify the environment. “Green is the future! We aim to plant 1 crore tree in Arunachal by the next five years. We began today with the launch of statewide tree plantation programme ‘Clean-Green Arunachal Campaign 2019’ by planting 1 lakh tree saplings across the state”, he wrote.Green is the future! We aim to plant 1 crore tree in Arunachal by the next five years. We began today with the launch of statewide tree plantation programme ‘Clean-Green Arunachal Campaign 2019’ by planting 1 lakh tree saplings across the state. Deputy Chief minister Chowna Mein, urban development minister Kamlung Mossang, other dignitaries and schoolchildren were also present on the occasion. During the event on Thursday, a few saplings were planted in the presence of the ministers and dignitaries to begin the drive.