Jammu and Kashmir State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) today observed World Environment Day with an objective to encourage awareness and enhance commitment towards preservation and sustainable management of ecology and environment.Chief Justice of J&K High Court, Justice Gita Mittal is Patron-in-Chief of SLSA while Justice Rajesh Bindal is Executive Chairman of SLSA.Keeping in conjunction with the theme of World Environment Day- “Celebrate Biodiversity” for the year 2020, J&K SLSA commemorated the special day by undertaking and organizing a host of activities including plantation, awareness and cleanliness drives across all districts of the UTs of J&K and Ladakh through District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA) and its Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs).To observe the day , District Legal Services Authority Jammu worked on the theme “Time for Nature” with a focus to provide the essential infrastructure that supports life on Earth with the aim to create biodiversity in the district through its Para Legal Volunteers , Retainer lawyers, NGO’s and TLSC’s viz Jammu, R.S. Pura, Bishnah and Akhnoor. More than 700 saplings of various trees were planted to mark the day. Para Legal Volunteers also generated awareness on ways and means to develop and maintain a healthy environment within their own homes for an overall positive physical and mental health in the current COVID-19 crisis.At Leh, DLSA Leh undertook plantation of 40 willow trees and 10 apple trees within the Court Complex site at Melong Thang.At Baramulla, cleanliness and plantation drives were conducted by DLSA Baramulla at various places simultaneously ensuring proper preventive measures in view of the Covid-19 situation.Plantation drives were also extensively undertaken by DLSAs of Srinagar and Samba in districts. Many varieties of trees including Medicinal, Herbal and Fruit growing trees were also planted by the PlVs for the purpose of developing a rich ecosystem. PlVs in association with local volunteers encouraged people to actively adopt environment-friendly practices for developing rich ecosystems around them. All precautionary measures, as prescribed by the Authorities were ensured.Similar activities were undertaken by other DLSAs of J&K and Ladakh with the objective of protection and fostering the environment and the rich biodiversity.