Massive plantation taken up to improve forest cover in Samba: Lal Singh

Asks Forest deptt to expedite drive to achieve set targets

SAMBA, JULY 21-Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh today directed the Forest Department to intensify the plantation drive to achieve set targets across the Samba district. He said that a massive drive has been launched this monsoon to restore and replenish degraded forest cover across the Jammu region and efforts are being made for restoration of the wild life habitat.
The Minister was addressing a gathering during the ongoing 68th Van Mahotsava celebrations here today. A plantation drive was also launched from Chichi Mata Temple to DC office Samba in which Minister for Industries and Commerce , Chander Parkash Ganga , Vice Chairman J&K State Advisory Board for welfare and Development of the OBC, Rashpaul Verma , MLA Samba Dr Devinder Manyal , students and locals participated in large number .
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Ravi Kumar Kesar, District Development Commissioner, Samba Sheetal Nanda, SSP Samba Anil Magotra, Chief Wildlife Warden Manoj Panth, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Roshan Jaggi, Director Ecology and Environment O P Sharma, Director Social Forestry A K Gupta, Chief Conservator of Forests Farooq Gillani, Director Forest Protection Force Asif Sagar, Managing Director SFC Suresh Gupta, Director SFRI B M Sharma besides other senior officers of Forests and its allied wings including Conservators and Divisional Forest Officers accompanied the Minister.
The Minister said that Forest Department has chalked out a comprehensive plan to rejuvenate the forest cover across the state. He said that the department is also all set to launch a massive plantation drive under Public Private Partnership mode in Kashmir Valley. He informed that the Forest department has succeeded in removing encroachment from 125000 Kanals forest land in recent drives and efforts are being made to make National Highway a 'Green Corridor'.
Ch Lal Singh said that department is focusing on plantation of ornamental and fruit saplings alongside the roads during the current season. He informed that third party monitoring and inspection mechanism has also been put in place to ascertain the progress under the drive.
Maintaining that public participation is vital for preservation of environment, the Minister urged upon people to come forward and participate in the plantation drive. He asked people to plant trees in their surroundings, schools, colleges and Government offices, adding that the department will provide free saplings for the cause.