Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Choudhary Lal Singh today launched a special plantation drive and also reviewed the earlier plantation drives in the forest ranges of Nagrota area of Jammu region.During his extensive tour, the Minister visited various areas including Bantalab, where he reviewed the plantation drives launched by the Forest Department. He later visited the forest ranges alongside National Highway and reviewed the Panjgrain and Hut plantation closure to oversee the plantation drive being undertaken by the Forest Department in association with social forestry and locals.While interacting with locals, the Minister said that Forest Department has initiated massive plantation drive across the State. He said that the ongoing rainy season is best time for plantation and Forest Department has taken it on mission mode to cover maximum suitable areas under plantation. Singh asked the concerned officers to intensify the plantation drive during the rainy season while stressing on planting the saplings of ornamental and fruit plants that can sustain the local weather conditions along National Highway.
"Thousands of plants of fruit and ornamental and other species are being planted in identified forest locations keeping in mind local weather conditions," he said. He directed the forest officers to ensure plantation of ornamental plants along roads of villages.Seeking the cooperation of the people, the Minister 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.The Minister was accompanied by Member Legislative Assembly, Nowshera, Ravinder Raina, officials of Forest, Environment and Ecology, Department of Wildlife, DFO Jammu among other officials of the allied wings.