For developing green corridor along National Highway through plantation and allied activity on avenue, median and other available land patches, Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology Choudhary Lal Singh today launched the plantation drive under the Greening of National Highway Phase-1 extending from Lakhanpur in Kathua to Udhampur. The launch was marked by plantation of Peepal (Sacred Fig) tree by the Minister at Rajbagh in district Kathua.“The objective of this endeavor is to develop a framework for the plantation of trees along highways, reducing the impact of air pollution and dust, providing shade on glaring hot roads during summer, reducing the impact of noise pollution and soil erosion, preventing the glare from the headlights of incoming vehicles, and curbing carbon emission,” Ch. Lal Singh said.Under the ‘Green Highway’ project, the first three rows will have ornamental plants along the highway whereas the back rows will have commercial species of plants.
To make National Highway eco-friendly and green, the work is under progress and fencing of enclosures is also being undertaken; the entire plantation will be done by Social Forestry wing of Forest department.The Minister also said that after completion of enclosure and fencing work, massive plantation drive will be held along the National highway in the monsoon season.The Minister was accompanied by PCCF A K Singh, Chairman PCB Ravi Kesar, Chief Wildlife Warden Suresh Chug, Director Social Forestry Arun Tickoo, MD SFC Suresh Gupta, Director SFRI B M Sharma, Director Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing O P Sharma, Director Soil and Water Conservation Javed Ahmad along with DFOs.