Bhupinder Singh Hooda has asked scientists to evolve strategies to meet the challenges posed by climate change and has also called upon the people to conserve environment and "plant a maximum number of saplings so as to save the earth."

Hooda assured that the state government has taken effective steps to check pollution and generate awareness among the people.

The Haryana Forest and Environment Minister, Ajay Singh Yadav added that a scheme of "Bio-Drainage Plantation" has been implemented in water-logged areas which have been "appreciated by the farmers as it has reaped benefits for them in areas with lower water table yet having a good yield of crops".

Under this scheme, 200 clonal Eucalyptus plants are planted on 300 metre long ridge at a spacing of 1.5 metre and ridges are made at a spacing of 60 metres. These plantations are made to lower the excess groundwater through transpiration process of trees, elaborated the forest minister.

Yadav added that an "extension forestry on farm land" along highways as a scheme has been implemented to check pollution, under which plantation carried out on farm lands along highways in the shape of shelterbelts.

"Maintenance of the trees is done by the forest department for two years after plantation. These are protected by the department and farmers jointly up to three years. After three years, the trees will be handed over to the farmers who would be the owner of entire produce after the final harvest," he explained.

He also claimed that the state government has already prohibited the manufacture, distribution, stock, sale and use of plastic carry bags, the use of all types of plastic articles such as plates, cups, tumblers, spoons, forks and straw has been banned in areas having special historical religious and ecological significance.

These areas are include Sheetla Mata Temple, Gurgaon; municipal limits of Kurukshetra and Thanesar towns, all wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Haryana, Gram Panchayat Morni and precincts of Mansa Devi Temple, Panchkula.