JAMMU: As part of Vanmahotsava celebrations Jammu Forest Division organised a plantation drive here at Dungian in Bhatindi.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Shantmanu was the Chief Guest while Deputy Commissioner Jammu, A.K Sahu, was Guest of Honour.
About 50 students from different schools, sarpanchs, prominent citizens and representatives of NGOs led by S P Verma and Dr Gurmeet Singh participated in the plantation drive.
Highlighting the importance of developing green cover within and around the Jammu, Divisional Commissioner said forests are the life line for the human beings.
He said massive afforestation was imperative to solve the pollution problems and depleting ground water level in Jammu city.
He said considering the importance of the green cover it becomes mandatory for the forest department to protect the forests and launch massive afforestation drives to revive degenerated forest land. He appreciated the students and NGO’s for their active participation in the plantation. He asked the young generation to live in harmony with nature.
“We can prevent natural disasters if we protect the forest and plan more and more trees”, he said.
Deputy Commissioner Jammu appreciated the initiative taken by Forest Department to involve students and locals in afforestation activities.
“When people and students are sensitized about the importance of plantation and protection of trees, the forests will be automatically protected” he added.
Chief Conservator of Forests Jammu, Roshan Jaggi, stressed upon the involvement of students and NGOs in the noble cause of afforestation and revival of degraded land located at a commanding position.
He said that the area was being developed as an ecotourism destination to attract nature lovers as many species of Medicinal plants were also planted. He also deliberated upon climate change and importance of forests to the students.
In his welcome address, Conservator of Forests East Circle Jammu, A K Gupta, highlighted the importance of Vanmahotsava celebration and stressed on the need for expanding the forest cover in the area. He emphasized upon the students and NGOs to own the plant planted by them so that all plants survive and grow as a massive forest cover.
Divisional Forest Officer, Jammu, V S Senthil Kumar, informed that in this plantation drive about 5 hac area has been covered by planting around 500 saplings .
The area is divided into 20 Blocks and each block has different species of trees. He said that area will emerge as an attractive picnic spot for tourists and locals in due course of time.
