One Day orientation cum Training programme for Village Panchayat Plantation Committees (VPPCs) was organised in the lawns of Government Middle School Zoorigund, Budgam.During the program, various speakers for the day sensitized the Village Panchayat Plantation Committees about their meaningful role in implementation of various schemes of the social forestry Department to increase Green Cover of District Budgam.The program was attended by DDC Chairman Nazir Ahmad Khan as Chief Guest, DC Budgam as Guest of Honor, Special invitee Principal Chief Conservator Forests/Director Social Forestry Department Roshan Jiggi, BDC Chairman, Budgam and Narbal, Panchs, Sarpanchs, President Trade Union Council, Abdul Majeed Parry, PRI workers, Staff of Social Forestry Department and huge number of students and locals.The Training programme and plantation drive was organised by the Social forestry Department Srinagar and Budgam.Chairman DDC Budgam Nazir Ahmad Khan in his address threw light on interdependence between society and forests and remarked that its Moral, ethical and socio-legal obligation of every individual to keep District Green and clean. Social forestry is kind of worship and in this direction, PRI workers have a significant role to play, Mr. Khan added.
Principal Chief Conservator Forests/Director while speaking on the occasion, appreciated the participation by audiences for turning in huge numbers despite cold weather conditions. The PCCF said that the aim and objective of the orientation programme is to take on spot feedback and suggestions for effective plan and policy formulation related to social forestry. Stressing on the importance of social forestry, the PCCF said it has a vital role to play in afforestation and public in this direction is soliciting their cooperation. 'It is very necessary to protect Forests for sustainable development', PCCF added. He also informed the Gathering that assets can be created which act as source of regular income for panchayats.While elucidating it further, he said 75% of the revenue out of forest produce/plantation goes to the Panchayat Halqas as per law. The PCCF further said that land sites in 10 District in Kashmir Division are being identified where the Social Forestry Department shall undertake massive plantation drives to make Kashmir Division Green. Social forestry by public along with Agricultural, Horticulture and allied activities shall be practiced, the PCCF said. There shall be institutional and roadside plantations in future as well, the PCCF informed.Speaking on the occasion, the DC Budgam said the such plantation drives will be launched in every panchayat under the theme of 'Har Gaon Haryali' where 500 tress of different kind will be planted. He said that our target is to achieve the maximum forest cover to make District Green. Afforestation through Plantation drive is crucial to maintain ecological balance and increase Green cover, the DC added.Earlier, the Chairman DDC, PCCF, DC Budgam, PRI representatives and officials other officials conducted plantation drive in the lawns on Government Middle School Zoorigund, Budgam.