Governor N.N. Vohra along with the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed launched the “Eco Restoration of Degraded Forests through People’s Participation”, a pilot project of the Forest Department, at Frislan in Anantnag district today. This project, to be executed by the J&K Forest Department, involves plantation of a wide variety of medicinal and fruit plants in 44000 hectare of mountainous area. The Forest Department will undertake a large scale plantation drive in the area visited by tourists in Pahalgam, in the first phase.Chief Minister stated that he had especially invited the Governor to be present at today’s inaugural Plantation Programme as the track to Chandanwari and beyond is also the route to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine.
In his brief remarks the Governor congratulated the Chief Minister for focusing attention on the need for afforestation and suggested that a similar initiative could be launched on the Baltal axis where the mountain ranges are relatively young and frequent land and mud slides are witnessed during the summers. Stressing the need for careful selection of plant species, as per the ecology of the area, the Governor observed that flowering trees and shrubs should be planted on a very large scale. On account of the soil binding properties of the Juniper species, he suggested that the entire route beyond Baltal could be planted with Juniper.The Governor appreciated the CM’s initiative to involve the locals in this project which has been conceived on the basis of public private partnership. He highlighted the contribution of the mountain people in preserving the forests and preserving the mountain culture which is deep rooted in their day to day lives.
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed spoke about the high attention which was being devoted to alleviate the economic status of the mountain people and stressed the high importance of forestry for upgrading the lot of the farming community. He also referred to how the degradation of the bio- diversity adversely affects their lives and called for a strong joint effort by various stakeholders to make this new programme successful.Mr. Bali Bhagat, Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology spoke about the problems due to encroachments on the forest areas and the necessity of rehabilitation and conservation of forests for maintaining ecological balance.Earlier Mr. A.K Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest presented details of the Project.The Governor, Chief Minister, Forest Minister and other dignitaries also planted saplings on the road side here.Mr. B.R Sharma Chief Secretary, Maj Gen Arvind Dutta, GOC Victor Force, Mr. B.B. Vyas, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Mr. Muneer-ul- Islam, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, and many senior civil and police officers and public was present on the occasion.