Bhubaneswar, 07 July (H.S.): Odisha has emerged as one of India's leading states in forest conservation, recording an increase of 558 square kilometres of forest and tree cover over the past two years and securing the third position nationally in green cover expansion, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the 77th State-Level Van Mahotsav at Kapileswar, the Chief Minister said large-scale afforestation is the most effective long-term solution to combat climate change and recurring heatwaves. He stressed that development and environmental conservation are complementary and reaffirmed the state's commitment to sustainable growth.

Majhi said the government is implementing the Sabuja Mahanadi Mission, under which a 1.5-km-wide green corridor is being developed along major rivers, including the Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Rushikulya and Vansadhara. During 2025-26, 5.65 lakh saplings were planted over 774 hectares, while nearly nine lakh saplings will be planted across 2,702 hectares in 2026-27.

He said 15.93 lakh saplings will be planted under the Enhanced Green Belt Scheme this year, while 6.95 lakh saplings are planned for urban areas to curb pollution. Under the Ama Jangala Yojana, nearly 20,000 hectares of degraded forests have been restored, benefiting 43.18 lakh people through livelihood programmes worth Rs 1,488.52 crore.

The Chief Minister also highlighted major initiatives, including plantation over 20,562 hectares under the CAMPA scheme, strengthening 1,210 Forest Protection Committees through the OFSDP-II project with JICA support, and mangrove restoration under the MISHTI and ECRICC programmes.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, Majhi said Odisha planted 1.49 crore saplings in a single day last year and has uploaded records of over 8.12 crore plantations on the Mission LiFE portal. The state has been assigned a target of planting 3.76 crore saplings this year.

Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia called for greater public participation in forest conservation. During the event, the Jereng Budhipahad Forest Protection Committee of Angul and the Gudgudia Eco Development Committee of Mayurbhanj were honoured with the State-Level Chief Minister's Award, receiving Rs 2 lakh each for their contribution to forest protection.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda