Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Friday led the state level mass plantation drive with the mission of “5 lakh seedlings in 5 minutes” to increase forest coverage in the northeastern state.

After planting a tree and distributing saplings among the local people at Taranagar (Mohanpur) in Western Tripura as part of the mass plantation campaign, the Chief Minister said in a post on the X: “Inspired by the Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji's "Ek Ped (Tree), Maa ke Naam" campaign, today participated in the state-wide programme organized by the Forest department to plant 5,00,000 saplings in just 5 minutes.”

Forest, Science, Technology, Environment Minister Animesh Debbarma said that till Thursday evening the forest department has distributed over seven lakh seedlings among mass people, students,clubs, various organisations, banks, central and state security forces to plant them on Friday across the state as part of the mission of “5 lakh seedlings in 5 minutes”.

“Our effort to plant trees would not be limited to Friday’s event. The mass plantation drive would continue in the monsoon period and beyond,” said minister.

He said that the Forest Department in association with other departments and organisations would plant 50 lakh more saplings of different varieties in phases to further increase the state's forest cover.

Tripura’s current forest cover is over 62 per cent which is good as compared to the other states of the country, said Debbarma, and added “We are keen to further expand the forest cover in Tripura to deal with the growing climate change-related challenges.”

Making an appeal to the people, various organisations, and clubs to come forward and join hands with the Forest Department to make the mega tree plantation drive a success, Debbarma said the government will try to involve all the stakeholders in its efforts.

While many trees are felled to expand the national highways, state highways, and for various developmental projects, the Forest Department is making all efforts to expand the forest cover through new plantations, he said.

“The forest department has a plan to establish the largest flower park in the region in Tripura,” the minister announced.