Minister for Horticulture Syed Basharat Ahmed Bukhari today informed Legislative Council that the government has taken path-breaking steps for promotion of Horticulture sector in Poonch including plantation of ultra-high density, normal high-density plants and development of Pecan nut village at Ajote, Degwar, Maldyan, Kheri-Karmara, Mankote, Sagra and Ghani.Replying to a question of Pradeep Sharma, the Minister informed that 333 imported high-density apple plants have been planted in Rajpura Nursery in Haveli Poonch in 2016-17.He further said that climatic condition of Poonch is similar to Shopian and Uri of Kashmir division but not for apple production a it is in later areas. However, he said the production of walnut in Poonch is equivalent to Shopian.Replying to supplementary questions, the Minister said the government has constituted a high-level Committee to prepare Horticulture Policy for the state to ascertain the climatic conditions suitable for growing specific varieties of fruits while taking in account the drastic climatic changes. The move aims at to tap the full horticulture potential in various parts of the state, he added. Meanwhile, responding to supplementary questions of Sham Lal Bhagat and Naresh Kumar Gupta, the Minister informed that Chenab Valley has been included in the plan to plant high-density apple plants and as the production of fruits increases there, the government will establish fruit Mandis in the area.