The State Government in a bid to provide additional source of income to farmers in the Naxal-infested areas, has decided to engage them in special plantation drives, for which it will shell out around Rs10.87 crore. The move, according to Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand would help enhance the green cover in the Naxal-hit areas and will also result in additional income to the farmers. The decision to this effect was taken at meeting of senior officials chaired by the Chief Secretary at the Mantralaya here on Thursday. As envisaged, the Government would make available saplings to the farmers under the greenery promotion scheme to the maximum limit of 5000 saplings, which they will be free to plant in their own land or other identified places. The scheme will benefit more than 11,000 famers who hail from Maoist hit districts such as Sukma, Bastar, Kondagaon, Rajnandgaon and Kanker. The Government has set an ambitious target of planning at least 64 lakh saplings under its new scheme to expand green cover. The Chief Secretary also reviewed the progress of other developmental works being implemented in these districts.