PUNE: Principal Secretary of Maharashtra Forest Department Vikas Kharge, who was in the city on Wednesday, said that apart from environment benefits, people should look at the tree plantation drive as beneficial for economic reasons also. Kharge was taking a review meet of the planned 50 crore tree plantation drive by Maharashtra government.

While the government had kept a target of 13 crore plantations last year, this year, the government is aiming at planting 33 crore trees, majority of which will be planted from June to September. Kharge said that all departments should contribute to the best of their ability to make the drive a success.

“While some planted trees will be helpful in farming, other trees planted in river beds will help in many other ways. The planted trees can also act as a source of income for people. In the last three years, we have done a great job and the same is expected this year too,” added Kharge.

Speaking at the event, Divisional Commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar said that in Pune division, the government has kept a target of 5.47 crore tree plantations, which includes Pune (1.52 crore), Satara (1.24 crore), Sangli (72 lakh), Kolhapur (1.13 crore) and Solapur (85 lakh). Pune district Collector Naval Kishore Ram assured that this year’s target will be achieved by the contribution from all stakeholders.