DW BUREAU / PATIALA Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh would launch a statewide sapling drive on August 24, said Patiala Divisional Forest Officer Vidya Sagri, here, today. On this day, in Patiala district also a large number of saplings would be planted by the Forest department. The Divisional Forest Officer has invited all the residents of Patiala district to join this initiative of the department by planting as many saplings as possible on this day. Vidya Sagari said that under the efforts of the Forest Department to curb the rising pollution and make Punjab green again, 3,30,900 saplings have been planted in Patiala district and 2,63,000 saplings have been provided free of cost to government and religious organizations and military. DFO Vidya Sagari said that the Forest department would make a big effort to plant trees on August 24 at the state level. The festival is being celebrated by planting saplings at the common places of Patiala, such as schools and village lands, Military Area, Thapar University and other common areas. She said that 'the best time to plant saplings was either 20 years ago or today', so we should plant maximum saplings. (editor@dailyworld.in)