Patna, July 22: As many as 16,000 saplings would be planted along the roads of the capital during 2011-12.

A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of environment and forest department on Friday. Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi chaired the meeting. Modi directed the officials to ensure that a gabion is placed for the saplings and the agency which would carry out the work, would have to undertake the maintenance work for three years so that the saplings can be kept safe. This will ensure survival rate of the saplings at the desired level.

Department officials informed Modi plans are in place for similar plantation works in the coming two fiscals. According to this plan, while 8,000 saplings would be planted in 2012-13, around 6,000 saplings would be planted in 2013-14.