Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh today appealed the people to save environment by planting trees. “It is prime duty of every individual to plant about 20 plants in rainy season to save the environment” the Minister said during plantation drives at Technical Airport in Satwari and Ramlila ground in Sari Rakhwalan and Play Way School in Pouni Chak areas. During the drive participants including officers of Indian Air Force planted fruit, Chinar, Jeo Pota and Ornamental plants. Also present on the occasion were Director Social Forestry A K Gupta, Chief Conservator of Forests Farooq Geelani, Regional Director State Pollution Control Board Showkat Chowdhary, Regional Director Wildlife Dr. V S Senthil, Regional Director Social Forestry Roop Kour Avtar besides Conservator West Circle Kh Qamar-ud-Din and Divisional Forest Officers of Urban, Territorial and Social Forestry. The Minister informed that Forest and its allied Wings have planted about 50 lakh different plants in every nook and Corner of the Jammu region in the current rainy season for beautifying the open spaces and road side strips from Lakhanpur to Banihal.
Choudhary Lal Singh said that the Forest Department has been tasked with a very important role to conserve the natural resources which directly impact the life of human beings and other living creatures. He said dedicated efforts are required to meet this noble cause.The Minister said that the responsibility of plantation lies on both the government and people.
It must be a collective effort on part of all stakeholders so that the mission of compensating the depletion of forest cover ion the state can be achieved, the Minister added.Choudhary Lal Singh appealed people to actively organize and participate in plantation drives in monsoon to make it a regular activity.The Minister stressed the need for coordinated efforts with the involvement of various stakeholders to minimize loss to the natural resources. He said the department should keep close watch on the activities of executing agencies to ensure that the natural resources are saved.Later, the Minister visited Sewa Baharti in Pouni chak and planted plants in the institution premises.On the occasion, students of the Sewa Bharti presented colourful cultural program on the theme ‘Plant trees, save natural beauty’.Speaking on the occasion, Choudhary Lal Singh urged the students to plant more and more trees in their locality.He asked the teaching fraternity to put their sincere efforts to impart quality moral education to the students, adding that moral values are imperative in shaping the personality of the students.The Minister also highlighted the role of the teachers and parents in the life of the children. He asked the students to work hard to excel in coming exams. He said education is vital for their better tomorrow and asked students to share their knowledge with each other.