Berhampur,June 29: The state forest department has set a target to plant at least one crore trees in seven forest divisions covering four southern districts (Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Boudh) by August next.

A targeted 6.80 lakh trees would be planted on a single day on July 7.

“Last year, we planted 1.5 crore trees in seven forest divisions under four districts. This year, we are trying to plant one crore trees of 20 different species in these districts by August,” said regional chief conservator of forests Jitendra Prasad Singh.

Out of the targeted one crore trees, 40 per cent will be the teak trees, which stand against natural obstacles. Moreover, 20 other species, including Akasia Menzyn (Australian teak), cadamba, arjun and sishu will be planted.

The trees would be planted across 45,442 hectares. Apart from it, trees would be planted on roadside stretching of 200km, Singh said.

“The mega nursery at Phulbani, which was set up under the Kandhamal Rehabilitation Scheme after the 2008 communal flare-up there, would provide most of the saplings. We would also borrow some saplings from 250 nurseries situated in these four districts and even from outside the state,” he said.

“The forest cover in these four districts stands 10,000sqkm out of 58,000sqkm in the entire state, which accounts for 20 per cent. We are committed to conservation of forests and wildlife. Community involvement in the conservation efforts has been our priority. The Vana Samrakshana Samities in and around the forest areas are involved in forest protection, regeneration and management. They are doing an excellent job,” said Singh.

The state pioneered in formation of the Samities in the country for effective management of forests by the local community. The Samities came into existence in the state in 1988. Now, the number of Samities in the state stands at 12,000 and “in Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Boudh, there are 2,116 Vava Samkrakshana Samities, for whom it’s a Herculean task to protect 1.85 lakh hectares of forestland,” he said.

Kalpana Behera, who works as a lecturer in Kasinagar College in Gajapati district, said deforestation is costing the global economy more than losses of the recent and ongoing financial crisis.

“Nature has also endowed the state with rich biodiversity. The state’s diverse physical features have formed varied ecosystems such as, forests, grassland, wetlands, coastal and marine ecosystems, which harbour and sustain immense biodiversity. We must preserve it,” said she.