Hamirpur, August 26: The Forest Department celebrated the 77th Forest Festival in Ukhli village on Wednesday, with Chief Minister’s Political Advisor Sunil Sharma Bittu attending the event as the chief guest and planting a sapling.
Congratulating Forest Department officials and employees, Panchayat representatives and local residents, Sunil Sharma Bittu said that the forest wealth of a hilly state like Himachal Pradesh is an invaluable heritage. He added that forests play a vital role in protecting the state’s climate and enhancing its natural beauty.
“Conservation of forests and planting more trees is the responsibility of every citizen,” he said.
Sunil Sharma Bittu highlighted the efforts of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu towards forest conservation and generating employment opportunities for local people through plantation activities. He said the state government has launched the Rajiv Gandhi Forest Enhancement Scheme, under which financial assistance is being provided to village panchayats, women’s groups and youth groups for planting and maintaining trees.
He said the initiative would help increase the state’s green cover while also creating employment opportunities for local communities.
Speaking about development in Hamirpur district, Bittu said that during his nearly three-and-a-half-year tenure, Chief Minister Sukhu has initiated several major projects and development schemes. These include the approval of a medical college, bus stand, heliport, dedicated science college and several other important projects, which are expected to open new avenues of development in the district.
Forest Range Officer Nishant Mandhotra welcomed the chief guest, other dignitaries and local residents and briefed them about the Forest Department’s plantation programmes.
Local Panchayat head Suman Kumari, Deputy Head Daulat Ram and Panchayat member Lekh Ram, along with other Panchayat representatives, also welcomed Sunil Sharma Bittu.
