Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Choudhary Lal Singh today launched a massive plantation drive along the Jammu – Srinagar National Highway stretch failing in Udhampur district.The drive, a part of 68th Van Mahotsava, was launched by the Minister by planting saplings at Tikri, Mand, Phalata and Pangara including ornamental, shady, medicinal and fruit trees.MLA Udhampur, Pawan Gupta, MLA Chenani-Ghordi Dina Nath Bhagat, PCCF J&K ,Ravi Kumar Kesar and DDC Niraj Kumar were also present and planted saplings on the occasion.Addressing a public meeting at Pangara after the launch of plantation drive, the Minister urged upon the common masses to come forward and cooperate with the Forest department in regenerating and restoring the forests across the state.Underscoring the importance of trees, the Minister said that the forests not only provide natural habitat for wildlife but also help in maintaining ecological balance. ‘The need of the hour is to join hands to protect the state’s green gold and carry out plantation drives in large number’, emphasized the Minister.He informed that similar plantation drives are being carried out by the Forest department across the state as a part of the celebration of 68th Van Mahotsava, which commenced from 14th July.
Lauding the efforts of the department, the Minister said that around 10 lakh saplings were planted by it in 7 days of the commencement of Van Mahotsava. The Minister further told that the department has also involved Schools, Colleges and Government offices in the statewide drive by providing them saplings free of cost.Chief Wild Life Warden Manoj Pant, Chairman PCB B. Sidharth Kumar, Director Environment and Remote sensing O.P Sharma, Managing Director SFC Suresh Gupta, Director Social Forestry A.K Gupta, Director SFRI B.M Sharma, CCF Farooq Gillani, Director Soil Conservation , Javed Panjoo and other senior officers of Forest department as well as District administration also participated in the plantation drive.Meanwhile, the people of these areas also projected their problems and sought repair of roads, adequate staff at PHC Mansar etc. and construction of Forest Guest house at Bhathi-Pangara. Responding to the demands, the Minister asked the concerned departments to resolve their problems within the shortest possible time.A cultural-cum-awareness programme was also organised by the Forest department in collaboration with the District Information Center, Udhampur. The cultural troupes presented folk songs and music highlighting the importance of forests.Earlier, MLA Udhampur Pawan Gupta appreciated the working of Forest department and asked its officers to expand the plantation drive to cover all degraded forest land to prevent soil erosion. He also sought the cooperation of local people in nurturing and looking after the saplings planted in their areas.