Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has announced a major relief package for the state’s agricultural sector by declaring that the government procurement portal for sunflower crops will be reopened for the next 60 days. Making the announcement during a World Environment Day event in Panchkula—where he also launched the JAICA-funded Sustainable Horticulture Promotion Project—the Chief Minister emphasized that the decision aims to protect growers who missed the initial registration deadlines due to unavoidable circumstances.
Chief Minister Saini directed administrative officials to ensure the immediate reopening of the digital portal, reiterating that the state remains committed to ensuring no eligible farmer is deprived of the opportunity to sell their produce under state mechanisms. Alongside agricultural relief, the Chief Minister unveiled a series of multi-million dollar budgetary allocations aimed at environmental conservation, biodiversity protection, and the expansion of eco-tourism across Haryana.
As part of the state’s infrastructure upgrade for wildlife conservation, the administration has earmarked ₹70 crore for the comprehensive renovation of the Pipli Zoo and an additional ₹25 crore for upgrading the Bhivani Zoo. Furthermore, a specialized bird sanctuary will be constructed within the Saraswati Conservation Forest at an estimated cost of ₹55 crore, providing a protected habitat for over 100 local and migratory bird species. To position the state as a prime destination for wilderness travel, ₹10 crore will be deployed to develop foundational amenities and eco-tourism structures at Kalesar National Park.
In a bid to attract global ornithologists and nature enthusiasts, Haryana will establish a dedicated “Bird Watching Tourism Circuit.” This new environmental tourism corridor will strategically link and develop three prominent wetlands: Sultanpur National Park, Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary, and Kotla Lake.
Addressing long-term climate action, Chief Minister Saini announced that the Forest Department will oversee the planting of 1.50 crore saplings across the state during the current fiscal year. To encourage public participation, 50 lakh of these saplings will be distributed to the public completely free of charge. In a significant policy shift toward sustainability, the Forest Department will completely phase out the use of plastic bags in state nurseries, replacing them entirely with bio-degradable alternative bags. Additionally, under the ongoing Paudhagiri Campaign, 20 lakh saplings will be distributed directly to school children to foster ecological responsibility from an early age.
