Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Ch. Lal Singh today launched a special plantation drive as a part of 67th Van Mahotsav celebrations in different compartments of Kathua forest range.During his extensive tour of the district, Ch. Lal Singh visited Barni, Dhanore, Barwal, Labhu Chak, Chan Charakhri, Bein forest closure at Londhi Morh , NH of Kathua forest range to oversee the plantation drive being undertaken by the forest department in association with social forestry and locals.Interacting with the locals, Ch Lal Singh said that the forest department has initiated massive plantation drive across the state as part of 67th Van Mahotsav. He said that the prevailing rainy season is best time for plantation and forest department has taken it on mission mode to cover maximum suitable areas under plantation.
He said thousands of plant of fruit and ornamental and other species are being planted in identified forest locations keeping in mind local weather conditions. He directed the forest officers to ensure plantation of ornamental plants along the roads of villages.Seeking the cooperation of the people, Ch. Lal Singh asked all stakeholders to be part of plantation drive so that ecology can be maintained properly. He said that government is contemplating to update the forest policy with the aim to increase the forest wealth of the state.Commissioner/Secretary Forest, Mohammad Afzal Bhat, PCCF A.K Singh, Chairman PCB Ravi Kesar, RD PCB Jammu Showkat Choudhary ,Chief Wildlife Warden Deepak Khanna ,Director Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing O.P Vidyarathi, ADC Kathua Bharat Bhushan, DFO Kathua Ashwani Kumar, DFO Wildlife, DFO Social Forestry Kathua and other officers of sister wing accompanied the minister during the visit.