The District Development Commissioner (DDC) Budgam, Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza today launched a plantation drive of Conifer trees at Chinar Kashmir Child Nurture and Relief home, Budgam.The drive was organised by the JK Forest Department in collaboration with Chinar Kashmir Child Nurture and Relief.The plantation drive was also well attended and participated by ADC Budgam, President MC Budgam and scores of the inmates of the Chinar Nurture home.Speaking on the occasion, the DDC said that such plantation drives will be launched in every panchayat under the theme of 'Har Gaon Haryali' where 500 trees of different kinds will be planted.Afforestation through Plantation drive is crucial to maintain ecological balance and increase Green cover, the DDC added.District Forest Officer (DFO) Budgam, Mohammad Ashraf Katoo on the occasion said that the department’s target is to achieve the 66 percent forest cover and presently there is only 55 percent in the district.The DFO Budgam, in presence of DDC on the occasion distributed the low cost seed balls among the inmates and the locals and stressed them to plant such seeds in the barren land.