As part of the 67th Van Mahotsav, a plantation drive was today launched by Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Ch. Lal Singh at Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary and Chanpora block under Jasrota Range of Kathua Wildlife division.PCCF, A K Singh, Chief wildlife Warden Deepak Khanna, CCF Jammu Roshan Jaggi , Director FPF S K Gupta , Director Social Forestry S K Chugh, Director Ecology, Environment & Remote sensing O P Vidyarathi, Chairman PCB Ravi Kesar, DDC Kathua Ramesh Kumar, RD PCB Jammu Showkat Choudhary, DFOs, XENs and officers of sister wings were present in the function.Ch. Lal Singh while addressing the gathering said that efforts are afoot to make Jasrota heritage site a famous tourist spot and priority is being given to develop infrastructure and logistic facilities for the visiting tourists. He also informed that battery cars will soon be introduced in Jasrota Wildlife sanctuary to attract tourists.
The Minister said that the department is making all out efforts to protect and preserve the green wealth and massive plantation drives are being launched across the state to improve the green cover. He called for active public partaking in these initiatives as environmental conservation requires synergized efforts from all stakeholders.PCCF, A. K. Singh while addressing the participants said that plantation drive is an important step towards environmental conservation and sought public cooperation in making it a success.DDC Kathua Ramesh Kumar while speaking on the occasion said that focused and concerted efforts are the need of the hour to preserve the green gold on this planet. He further added that it is our collective responsibility to preserve our heritage site and sincere efforts are required to make it an attractive tourist spot.Chief wildlife Warden Deepak Khanna also exhorted upon the people to actively participate in the drive and help the department in protection and ensuring survival of plants.