Una, August 23- Rajiv Gandhi Forest Conservation Scheme of Himachal Government is dedicated to rural empowerment along with environmental protection. Its objective is to make barren and unusable forest land green, as well as to provide employment and income opportunities to the local communities.
This scheme, which is being implemented in a planned manner across the state, has a special focus on public participation in forest management.
In this episode, the implementation of the scheme is also progressing rapidly in Una district.
DFO Una Sushil Rana says that the Mahila Mandals, Yuvak Mandals, Self Help Groups and other community organizations registered in this scheme are being linked to afforestation activities. Each group will be entrusted with the responsibility of planting trees on 1 to 5 hectares of land and its maintenance for five years.
He says that the groups will be given assistance of up to Rs 1.20 lakh per hectare of plantation. Along with this, incentives will also be provided based on the survival rate of the plants. If more than 50 percent survival of plants is ensured, then the group will be given an additional Rs 1 lakh. Plantation work is going on in all the forest areas (forest range) of Una district and new plants are being planted in place of damaged plants along with the maintenance of old plants.
At the same time, Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal says that the Una district administration is implementing this scheme on the ground in accordance with the thinking of the state government. Youth and local groups are being constantly motivated to plant trees, so that the coming generations can get a clean and healthy environment and the rural economy is also strengthened.
It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has started this scheme with the thought that it should not be limited only to environmental protection, but also open new paths of rural self-reliance and community empowerment. Taking forward this vision of the Chief Minister, the scheme is being continuously expanded. 
Regarding the thinking of the government, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri says that the objective of this initiative is not limited only to tree plantation, but also to lay a strong foundation for sustainable development by establishing a balance between environment and development.