In a major relief for Haryana's sunflower growers, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced on Friday that the registration portal for sunflower procurement would be reopened for the next 60 days. This decision enables eligible farmers who missed the earlier deadline to register and sell their produce.
Announcement at Panchkula Event
The announcement was made while the Chief Minister inaugurated the JICA-funded Sustainable Horticulture Promotion Project and attended a World Environment Day programme in Panchkula. Alongside the farmer-centric decision, he also unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at environmental conservation, biodiversity enhancement, and promotion of eco-tourism across the state.
Farmer Relief Measures
Addressing the gathering, Nayab Singh Saini said that some farmers could not complete their registration for sunflower procurement within the stipulated period due to various reasons. He emphasized that no eligible farmer should be deprived of the opportunity to sell his produce. He directed the concerned officers to reopen the portal for the next 60 days to facilitate registration by such farmers.
Environmental and Eco-Tourism Projects
Making several key announcements, the Chief Minister said that the state government was implementing ambitious projects to strengthen environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and eco-tourism in Haryana.
- Pipli Zoo Renovation: Comprehensive renovation at an estimated cost of Rs 70 crore.
- Bhiwani Zoo Upgrade: Upgradation and modernisation at a cost of Rs 25 crore.
- Bird Sanctuary: Development of a bird sanctuary in the Saraswati Conservation Forest at a cost of Rs 55 crore, benefiting over 100 species of resident and migratory birds.
- Kalesar National Park: Infrastructure and visitor facilities worth Rs 10 crore to promote eco-tourism and wildlife tourism.
- Bird-Watching Circuit: A dedicated circuit linking Sultanpur National Park, Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary, and Kotla Lake to promote conservation and nature-based tourism.
Green Cover and Sustainable Practices
Highlighting Haryana's commitment to increasing green cover, Nayab Singh Saini said that the Forest Department would undertake plantation of 1.5 crore saplings during the current year. Of these, 50 lakh saplings will be distributed free of cost among the public. He further announced that plastic bags currently used for raising plants in all Forest Department nurseries will be replaced with biodegradable bags as part of the government's commitment to environmentally sustainable practices. Under the Paudhagiri Campaign, 20 lakh saplings would be distributed among schoolchildren this year to encourage public participation in environmental conservation and transform it into a people's movement.
