New Delhi: South Eastern Coalfields (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India, is set to invest Rs 169 crore in plantation projects in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh over the next five years, as per a Ministry of Coal release on Wednesday.

SECL has recently signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Chhattisgarh Rajya Van Vikas Nigam (CGRVVN) and Madhya Pradesh Rajya Van Vikas Nigam (MPRVVN) to carry out plantation work in the two states.

According to the MoUs, SECL will allocate Rs 131.52 crore for plantation in Chhattisgarh and Rs 38.11 crore in Madhya Pradesh.

The plantation drive is scheduled to span five years, from 2023-24 to 2027-28, with subsequent maintenance for four years.

"The company, in collaboration with the state nigams, aims to plant over 26 lakh saplings in Chhattisgarh and nearly 12 lakh saplings in MP. This marks the third such MoU by the company. Through the previous two MoUs, the company has planted more than 46 lakh saplings in CG and over 16 lakh plants in MP between 2013-14 and 2022-23, with a total cost exceeding Rs 168 crores," the release stated.

The plantation drive will include various species of fruit-bearing, timber, medicinal, and herbal plants.