To commemorate the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Government of India has conducted Haryali Saptah in 75 Nagar Van sites across the country. To mark the event in Jammu, a ceremonial plantation program in Nagar Van, Raika was conducted,
Chairman, DDC Jammu, Bharat Bhushan was the Chief Guest and Dr Mohit Gera IFS, HOFF, PCCF (J&K) was the Guest of Honour on the occasion wherein ceremonial afforestation by the planting of 75 saplings of various indigenous species was carried out.
Additional one thousand seedlings were planted in other identified sites across the Jammu region on the occasion as well.The event was attended by the Director, Social Forestry, J&K, Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K, Sarpanch, Panchayat Sunjwan Lower Panch Ward Number 1, Panchayat Sunjwan Lower and school children from eco clubs of GGHSS Rehari, HSS Julekha Mohalla, Smailpur Samba along with NSS volunteers of the Government College of Education, Jammu.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman, DDC Jammu, Bharat Bhushan emphasised the need to protect the forests of the Jammu region due to their ecological and economic roles. He stated that Nagar Van initiatives of the Government of India are a major step toward the conservation of natural resources through the participation of local people and PRI institutions.
He called upon the public and students to nurture natural areas, and water resources through active protection and greening initiatives as climatic amelioration measures. He further stated that rising temperatures and erratic rainfall is posing a major threat to the survival of cities and mass greening activity using indigenous species would go a long way in making the cities climatic resilient.
Dr Mohit Gera stated that Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department has initiated a slew of activities under the Green J&K Drive to enhance the green cover of UT of J&K. He also elucidated the schemes, namely: One Beat Guard, One Village Program, Har Gaon Hariyali and the Van se Jal, Jal se Jeevan.
Dr Gera further said that the Nagar Van Scheme of the Government aims to create urban green space within a radius of 5 km of every city to cater to the need of the public. IFS Additional Pr. Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, BM Sharma stated in his inaugural address that preservation and maintenance of greenery are vital to the sustenance of cities.
The Nagar Van Scheme is catering precisely for this objective, he added. He further emphasised that active participation of Panchayat Raj Institutions is vital to achieve and expand the greenery in forest and non-forest areas.
During the event, a demonstration cum field trial of seed balls was conducted by the Agrostology wing of the Forest Department and 1900 seed balls and 150 seedlings were distributed to the public.