DW BUREAU / Chandigarh Haryana Forest and Environment Minister Kanwar Pal said that due to increasing pollution, it is very important to increase the forest area while maintaining ecological balance. People should take pledge to plant at least two saplings on Van Mahotsav which is celebrated every year during the monsoon season. In a statement issued here today, Kanwar Pal said that Van Mahotsav and Wildlife Protection week is organized every year by the Forest Department to make people aware of importance of forests. The Forest Minister said that a target has been set up to increase forest area from 7 to 20 percent in the State, under which about 1.25 crore saplings will be planted by this year. Besides this, 'Covid Vatika' would be set up across 1100 villages in the State in which medicinal plants would be grown. He said that the State Government has been taking concrete steps in view of conservation and rehabilitation of endangered wildlife species. Peacock and Chinkara Breeding Centre has been set up in reserve forest area at Jhabuwa in district Rewari. Similarly, to prevent the extinction of vultures and to increase their number, India's first 'Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre' has been set up in Pinjore. Red jungle fowl rooster species have been successfully breeding at the Pheasant Breeding Centre, Morni. 'Chinkara Breeding Centre' has been set up in Kairu village of district Bhiwani and Crocodile Breeding Centre has been set up at Bhaur Saidan. Besides this, Forest Department has also started a scheme for adoption of birds and animals. (editor@dailyworld.in)