Dharamshala, June 3 -- Chief minister (CM) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday launched the "Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana" from Hamirpur, which aims to increase the green cover in the state.

Terming it as a significant step towards environmental conservation and community participation in forest management, Sukhu said that the scheme not only aims to increase the green cover by planting fruit-bearing trees on barren and degraded forest areas but will also generate employment and income for local communities by ensuring participation of mahila and yuvak mandals besides self-help groups.

The CM handed over certificates in this respect to two Mahila Mandals from Nadaun, viz: Amlehad and Bhawdan, which will carry out the plantation activ...