Srinagar, March 20: Forest Department, Kashmir celebrated the International Day of Forests today by holding tree plantation and other awareness events across the valley.
Rabi Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir inaugurated a mega plantation event on the occasion of International Day of Forests, 2022 at BSF Sector Hqrs , Pantha Chowk, Srinagar. Commandant (DIG) BSF and Conservator of Forests, Srinagar Circle, DFO Urban Forestry Division, Srinagar students and other officers also participated in the impressive function, according to. media statement received by Ziraat Times.
Speaking on the occasion, the officers highlighted the need to balance consumption with sustainable production through combined efforts of all stake holders in order to achieve the theme of Forests and sustainable production and consumption. The Forest Department is planting 130 lakh saplings in J&K during 2021-22 in order to commemorate 130 years of its existence. More than, ten thousand plants have been planted with the help of BSF personnel in the barren Khonmoh hillock, the statement added.
The possibility of treating the denuded hills under the scheme of Green India Mission was also discussed on spot. On the occasion GIS Mand, Commandant, Sector Hqrs BSF was felicitated for his dedicated efforts towards Green J&K Drive 2021-22.
Events in South Kashmir
Meanwhile, International Day of Forests observed across South Kashmir; Forest Department holds series of plantation drives. Conservator of Forests , South Kashmir, Irfan Ali Shah(IFS) planted a Deodar tree sapling in Kokernag and Daksum forests to kickstart the celebrations of International Day of Forests which is observed every year on March 21.
DFO Anantnag Mohammad Ramzan Mir, DDC chairpersons,BDC Chairpersons nd members, SDPO Kokernag, SHO Larnoo,SHO Kokernag ,Officers from local administration,Range officers, members of local Auqaaf committee, Le cal Municipality officers, NGO representatives,media and local public in large numbers were present on the occasion.
Highlighting the importance of World Forestry Day, the Conservator of Forests underlined the importance of understanding the value, significance and contribution of the forests in balancing the life cycle on earth.He said the theme for International Day of Forests 2022 is “Forests and Sustainable Production and Consumption”. He sought cooperation from public representatives, community organizations and the general public for addressing issues like forest fires and soil denudation, which pose a serious challenge to the green gold.
He said under the flagship Green J&K Drive program,10 Lakh saplings of Deodar, Kail, Other broadleaved and wild fruit species have been planted till date in newly established Plantation Units across the four districts of South Kashmir during the current financial year.
During this year, the department has also celebrated ‘Forestry Week’ from 14th to 21st March, 2022 where more than 1.25 lacs medicinal plants and Wild Apricots were planted and walnut dibbling was done on a voluntary basis by Forest staff across five forest divisions of South Kashmir to increase Green cover and to provide food to wild animals in forests in order to minimise wild animal conflicts over and above the regular approved planting targets .He said sale counters for conifer saplings have also been set up at all major forest offices and nurseries for general public. He informed that under Har Gaon Haryali each village is being covered for greening of areas outside forest areas and for making our villages more green.Under One Beat Guard One Village program, thousands of plants have been planted in South Kashmir.He said thousands of mandays of employment has been generated through MNREGA Convergence in South Kashmir during the current financial year.
He said Green India Mission is being implemented for the first time in South Kashmir in Shopian District and shall be gradually extended to Anantnag,Kulgam and Pulwama districts as well. He said Greening of all major religious places including Shrines, Gurdwaras,Temples etc in South Kashmir shall be taken in mission mode by Forest Department during this year so that locals get benefitted both spiritually as well as by clean environment when they visit shrines and temples.
He informed that maintenance of all water bodies especially inside forest areas has initiated under “Van Se Jal Jal Se Jeevan” program
On the occasion, saplings of different species were planted by locals and forest officials.The local public as well as volunteers were also provided conifer saplings free of cost for planting in homes and suitable places.
Similar programs were also conducted in all five forest Divisions of South Kashmir including Kulgam, Awantipora,Anantnag,Shopian and Kulgam where Senior officers from local administration, representatives of Panchayat Raj Institutions, Biodiversity management committees, local Auqaaf committees, students and NGOs partcipated in large numbers and hundreds of saplings were planted.
