Srinagar, March 21 (Scoop News) – Like other parts of the World, the 36th Arbor Day was also celebrated throughout the Valley of Kashmir with great participation not only the Deputy Commissioners and the senior officers of the Forest, Environment and Wild Protection, but a large number of School Children and locals also participated in many function organized by the Jammu & Kashmir State Forest Research Institute and Air Force Station Srinagar with the Collaboration of Social Forestery Department of Jammu and Kashmir Government.
In this connection a function was organized by the J&K State Forest Research Institute at Serich, Ganderbal where the chief guest, Minister for Forests, Environment and Wildlife Protection, Mian Altaf Ahmed laid foundation stone of “Sheikh-ul-Alam (RA) Quality Plant Production Unit” with planting a conifer plant.
On this occasion, he was informed that one lakh conifer plants will be raised here in this newly coming nursery and over all 5 lakh plants of the same quality would be raised in the whole valley which in the future would be used for massive afforestation drive in the state during the coming years.
The Minister also launched a massive plantation drive at Srinagar Air port by planting two Deodar plants there at a function organized by the Officers of the Air Force Station Budgam.
On this occasion, the Minister was informed that near about one thousand plants would be planted in the vicinity of the Air Force Camp to add more grace to the beauty of the Kashmir valley and try utmost to keep the atmosphere clean by protecting the environment of the valley.
Addressing the Senior rank Air Force Officers and School Children assembled there to welcome the Minister, Mian Altaf Ahmed said that he is very delighted for his participation in their plantation drive and hoped this step would be more result oriented. He further said that this movement is not now only limited to the Forest Department, but presently a common man is very anxious about the protection of our precious national wealth ‘Green gold’’ and this has become now a mass movement.
On this occasion Air Officer Commanding, Air Cmd Upkarjit Singh, GP Capt. Anil Sachdev, GP Capt. IBS Sadhana and other senior officers of the IAF were present there.
Later, the Minister launched a special plantation drive at SP College, Srinagar by planting a few plants of Devdar in the vicinity of the SP College Complex.
On this occasion, 210 Deodars and poplar trees were planted in the college premises. The Minister for Forests highlighted the spirit of holding such ceremonial functions and stressed upon the officers and other Divisional Heads, present in the functions for greater awareness to the people about the plantation and protection of the green gold, the precious wealth of the Valley. He emphasized on involvement of the common people especially the youth, the teachers and NGOs in creating awareness about forests and the environment in the masses. He also stressed upon the Officers of the Forest Department to ensure completion of all the targets fixed by various wings of the department. He said that “now there is special focus on planting the traditional trees like Devdar rather other trees.”
On this occasion, he was informed massive planting shall be carried over an area of 15000 hectare of forest/non forest area during the current year by various wings of the Forest Department. He was also told that the department has raised 10 lakh additional plants this year for distribution among people. He was also informed that Social Forestry Department has planted 21820 plants in various Institutions, road sides,Jehlum banks and other public places. Besides 5930 plants have been supplied to other organizations.
Chief Conservator of Forests, Manzoor Ahmed, DDC, Srinagar, M.A. Kakroo, DDC Ganderbal, Showkat Ahmed Mir, Regional Director Social Forestry Department and other Senior Officers of the Forest Department also spoke on the occasion and shed light on the Arbor Day and its importance in the present day situation.