Kolkata, March 21 (IANS) Marking the International Day of Forests on Thursday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that forest cover in the state has gone up by 4.29 per cent.

"Today is #InternationalDayOfForests. In #Bangla, the forest cover has been growing -- between 2010 and 2015, it has gone up by 3,810 sq km, one of the highest in the country, up by 4.29 per cent. My best wishes to all," Banerjee tweeted.

On March 21, the International Day of Forests is celebrated worldwide to increase public awareness about the values, significance and contributions of forests to balance the life cycle on the earth.

Also, the day also celebrates the arrival of spring with the World Planting Day. This day gives an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the world's plant species.

"Today is World Planting Day. In Bangla, we distributed 15 lakh saplings to every new born child. This is done under the unique Sabujshree scheme to inculcate emotional bonding between the child and nature," Banerjee wrote.

The Chief Minister further mentioned how the above initiative "provides an incentive for the future."