Minister for Forest, Ecology, Environment, Choudhary Lal Singh today said that youth can act as vital agents of change and play their role in the welfare and prosperity of the State.Speaking at an impressive gathering at Cheshmashahi here, the Minister said that in order to witness the dawn of development and peaceful atmosphere across the State, the government was talking all possible measures to be inclusive in all the youth related programmes.The Minister said that youth should come forward and participate in developmental activities, launched by the government. He said that youth can also play their role in changing the story of forests by planting more and more trees in their respective areas. The Minister on the occasion informed the gathering that Forest Department has initiated massive plantation drives across the State as part of 67th Van Mahotsav. 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. He said thousands of plant of fruit and ornamental and other species are being planted in identified forest locations keeping in mind local weather conditions.
He directed the forest officers to ensure plantation of ornamental plants along roads of villages.He said that contribution of youth will be decisive in safeguarding the environment and ecology for which Forest and Environment Department has initiated a mission to make youth instruments of change.The Minister said the aim of organizing such public meetings was to make people aware about the necessity of conserving environment, rich flora and fauna of the area.The Minister sought cooperation of the people, asking 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 appealed people of all the regions to help build peaceful environment across the State.“Government doesn’t exist without people,” he said. “People, especially youth can play vital role in Sate’s socio-economic prosperity,” he said. He urged people for the preservation of environmental, ecology and natural resources. “Every person must contribute for the preservation of these natural resources,” he said.Among others, the public meeting was also attended by GM Mir , Durakshan Andrabi, Dr Hina Bhat.