By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, July 27, 2018: Odisha will plant around five crore saplings across the state this year in a move to make the state more green in the coming years.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday made the announcement while inaugurating the mega plantation drive-Aame Gadhiba, Sabuja Odisha at Kalinga stadium here.

While two crore sapling would be planted under the Green Mahanadi Mission, the remaining three crore saplings would be planted under other programmes, he said.

The chief minister also said members of Biju Yuva Vahini will plant over 30 lakh saplings across Odisha during the monsoon season this year.

“The plantation drives will make our state more green. I request you all to create awareness regarding various campaigns of government pertaining to pollution…I repose my full faith and confidence it the Biju Yuva Vahini,” Patnaik told the Biju Yuva Vahini volunteers.

The chief minister also planted a sapling at the stadium premises to commence the plantation drive.

About 2.5 lakh Biju Yuva Vahini volunteers will participate in the plantation drive across the 30 districts in the state.

He also lauded the Biju Yuva Vahini volunteers for their tireless work during Lord Jagannath’s Rathyatra and for cleaning the Puri beach.