BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has decided to extend the bamboo plantation programme to Gajapati and Kandhamal districts in a bid to provide livelihood options to the tribals of the area. This was decided at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Tuesday. The bamboo plantation programme is now being implemented in the KBK region (undivided Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi districts) to provide income to the tribals of the area. Naveen directed that the programme should be extended to Gajapati and Kandhamal districts during the year. The plantation should be taken up on both sides of the roads leading to sanctuaries and different tourist destinations in the State, he added. He said that care should be taken for the protection of the plants. The Government has also decided to plant five crore saplings during rainy season as part of its afforestation programme which will be taken up on two lakh hectares in the State. Naveen also reviewed the implementation of the afforestation programme taken up last year when 6.08 lakh saplings were planted in 12 urban centres. It was decided that the urban afforestation programme will be extended to 27 towns this year. Sources said 8.43 lakh saplings will be planted in these towns during the rainy season. The road-side plantation will be increased from 769 km to 1,600 km during the year. Forest and Environment Minister Debi Prasad Mishra and senior officials attended.
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