Sammanit Samaroh Samiti today felicitated Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology, Choudhary Lal Singh in recognition to his exemplary efforts towards environment protection through massive plantation drives and related measures during a function held here today.The Minister, while spelling out government’s initiatives in this regard, said the main objective of his department is to ensure afforestation, curb forest land encroachments, prevent pollution besides encouraging people to take active part in these efforts for protection and conservation of green wealth in the state. He appreciated the role of officers and officials of the department who worked hard on this account."The Forest Department is endeavoring hard to protect and improve the environment and wildlife of the State,"said the Minister adding that four lakh trees will be planted in Kathua whereas 3 lakh trees will be planted in Basohli to increase the green cover in these areas.
Earlier, the Cultural Wing of Department of Information and Public Relations in collaboration with the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages organized a cultural show on the occasion.Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Ravi Kesar, ADC Dr Bharat Bhushan, Chief Wildlife Warden, Manoj Pant, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Roshan Jaggi; Chairman PCB, B Sidharth Kumar; Director Social Forestry, A K Gupta, Chief Conservator of Forests, Farooq Gillani, Director Forest Protection Force, Asif Sagar, Managing Director SFC, Suresh Gupta, Regional Director State Pollution Control Board Showkat Chowdhary, ACR and Tehsildar besides other senior officers of forests and its allied wings, tehsil and divisional level officers besides prominent citizens in large numbers were present during the programme.