Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Choudhary Lal Singh, today launched a plantation drive in Nowshera and Sunderbani in Rajouri district.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that afforestation is only solution to environmental hazards and it must be taken up by all vigorously.The drive was conducted to commemorate Van Mahotsav being observed across India. The festival aims at increasing the green cover by encouraging massive plantation drives in the entire country.The Minister, while highlighting the significance of celebrating such occasions, said that these events provide an opportunity to us to ponder upon our responsibilities towards the society. Such affairs greatly help in further promoting the pro- environment measures being taken up at different levels, he added.
Terming the role of common people as of utmost importance in promoting environmental activities, the Minister said that lack of green cover or forests not only harms the ecosystem of the animals, but also disturbs the delicate balance of nature. Droughts and floods are a great indicator of this disturbance, he added.Referring to several encroachments on forest land, the Minister said that the government is committed to evacuate all such lands on priority basis. He said that stern action will be initiated against the encroachers.Among other MLA, Ravinder Raina, MLC Surender Choudhary and senior officers were present on the occasion.