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| Wadoo’s book on world’s largest Chinar released | | | Jammu, February 21
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Mr. Mangat Ram Sharma and Minister for Forests and Housing Qazi Mohammad Afzal released a book “The trees of our Heritage” by renowned authority on forests and writer Mr. M. S. Wadoo.
The impressive book release function was organized by Kashmir Society at the auditorium of Government College for Women here today.
The book among significant aspects of forestry, plantation and environment covers the research work on trees especially Chinar and Devdar.
Mr. Wadoo in his research work of about 10 continuous years has identified the largest and oldest Chinar tree at Chattergam in Chadoora Kashmir in the garden of great sufi saint Syed Qasim Shah (RA). The stem of the Chinar is 31.85 mts of circumference and is 14.78 mts tall.
Earlier, largest and oldest Chinar tree was considered to be at Bijbehara with 19.70 mts stem circumference and 13.30 mts tallness but Wadoo’s research has established Chattergam Chinar as the largest and oldest one.
Author of 10 books on forestry and plants, Mr. Wadoo has traveled thousands of kilometers in the entire temperate zone of the state and assessed numerous Chinars to establish the historic one. His contribution in the field has been tremendous and of high research value.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mangat Ram Sharma lauded the research work of Mr. Wadoo and said that such works are not only of historical value for heritage identification but possess scientific, research and educative importance for students and others. He said it is heartening to find that an officer of the state has undertaken a stupendous task and accomplished it with success.
Mr. Sharma said that book has evinced great interest in him to visit Chattergam and witness the gigantic Chinar tree. He said he would recommend Mr. Wadoo for the government award for his high research and historic book.
He said Chinar symbolizes the great Jammu and Kashmir civilization and has remained centre of attraction to the tourists. However, in the recent past decline in Chinar trees in the valley has cautioned the concerned departments and government has launched prestigious programme of planting Chinar saplings on large scale in the valley and other feasible areas including Jammu. He said, he himself planted some Chinar saplings in Jammu which are presently growing fast.
Asking the students to go through the book of Mr. Wadoo and get vast and purposeful information about the trees of Jammu and Kashmir and especially of Deodar and Chinar, Mr. Sharma said that book provides great importance of plants of Jammu and Kashmir.
Minister for Forests Qazi Mohammad Afzal eulogizing the efforts of Mr. Wadoo in documenting his findings and research of historic importance said “we are proud of Mr. Wadoo for his extraordinary work”.
Qazi said that trees are lungs of the earth and no life is possible without plants laying emphasis on protection and conservation of trees alongwith massive afforestation. He said Chinar popularly known ‘Bune” in the valley signifies the heritage and grandeur of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr. Qazi said that the book by Mr. Wadoo is a work of historic importance and discovery of oldest and largest Chinar at Chattergam by Mr. Wadoo would go as a significant research in the annals.
Mr. Qazi later planted Chinar saplings in the garden of Government College for Women Parade where the function was held today.
The function was attended by a great number of people of wide ranging interest including writers, scholars, intellectuals, botanists, environmentalists, media persons, Prominent citizens, teachers, officers and students.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Mr. Yashpal Kundal said that awareness about afforestation in rural areas is the need of hour where people cut the trees due to their ignorance. “It is strange people are aware of importance of plants in the towns and cities where tree exist in less number but in rural areas which are full of trees people are not aware of their protection and preservation”, he maintained.
He praised Mr. Wadoo for his extraordinary work saying that his book would prove highly beneficial to the students, researchers and department of forest, education, agriculture, floriculture etc.
Principal of the college Mrs. Indira Rathore throwing light on the importance of books of research background said that Mr. Wadoo’s book is one of the greatest works on forestry in Jammu and Kashmir. She said study of environment science has been made compulsory in the higher education and books like that by Mr. Wadoo would benefit the students in a big way.
Noted Gandhian worker Mr. S. P. Verma congratulated Kashmir Society for organizing such a book release function to release a historic book by Mr. Wadoo which shall be yet another extraordinary publication in the field of plant research.
Director Information Khawaja Farooq Ahmad Renzu highlighting the importance of trees said that everyone of us has to work to stop haphazard, uncalled for and injudicious cutting of trees. “Trees and plants which are live like human beings but cannot cry when chopped, cut and damaged heartlessly. We have to understand their pain and agony and endeavour for conservation and protection of plants”, he stressed.
He said Mr. Wadoo’s book which greatly deals with angiosperms and gymnosperms has focused on Deodar and Chinar and presents a rich profile of both scientific and historic aspects. He said it has great value both for students and scholars.
Mr. Wadoo giving brief resume of his research work cautioned the citizens of the state against the environmental hazards caused by injudicious felling of trees adding that “if we do not care for tress today we will turn our beautiful state into a parched land and die as “larrapa and Mohanjodaru”. He asked the government to pay highest attentions for afforestation alongwith preservation and conservation of forests.
Secretary Kashmir Society Mr. Mohammad Rafi Khan welcoming the VIPs and author of the book said that society feels privileged to organize the function of release of book .“The Trees of our Heritage” by Mr. M. S. Wadoo. He said Mr. Wadoo’s work is a great contribution to the scientific and historic literature in the state and will prove a treasure for students and researchers.
Among others present on the occasion were Director Floriculture Mr. K. K. Sharma, Joint Director Information Mr. S. K. Sharma and senior offices of various departments. |
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