news details |
|
|
| Qazi inaugurates Van Mahotsav at SKUAST | | |
JAMMU, JULY 27 - The Minister for Forests, Housing and Urban Development Qazi Mohd. Afzal inaugurated the 58th Van Mahotsav celebrations by planting a sapling of Araucaria in the campus of Veterinary College, Sher-I-Kashmir University of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), R. S. Pura today college campus.
The Van Mahotsav function was organized by the Social Forestry Department and is celebrated throughout the country during monsoon season with the objective of securing peoples' participation in afforestation activity.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Mr. I. A. Khan, Director Social Forestry Mr. Shafat Ahmed, Dean Veterinary College, SKUAST Dr. A. K. Srivastav, officers of Forest Department and faculty members were also present on the occasion and participated in the plantation programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Qazi Afzal stressed on the role of forests in maintenance of ecological balance and the need for raising awareness among masses in this regard. He said that the Social Forestry department had undertaken massive afforestation works since its inception in 1982-83 within and outside the natural forests with active involvement of the people. This programme has been extended to all the nooks and corners of the State and as a result, the requirement of fuel, fodder and timber are being met from the trees raised under this programme. He said that till date 27.05 crore plants have been planted and distributed resulting from tree planting, in an area of about 1.52 lakh hectares under different models like farm forestry, rehabilitation of degraded forests, village wood lots, wet land plantation, strip plantation, institutions plantation, silvi-pasture development etc.
The Minister said that around 2000 Village Forest Committees have been constituted under the Joint Forest Management Programme of Social Forestry. The department has created he desired level of awareness among the people about the significance of planting trees.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. I.A. Khan emphasized on the importance of people's participation in afforestation programmes and conservation of forests.
The Director Social Forestry welcomed all the participants and elaborated on the role of Social Forestry Department in meeting the demands of the society for forest produce like timber, fodder and firewood so that natural forests can be preserved. He said that during the current year, the department will plant 12 lakh saplings and distribute another 10 lakh saplings to farmers, NGOs and institutions in Jammu region during monsoons.
Dr. Srivastav also spoke on the importance of afforestation activity in a hilly state like Jammu and Kashmir.
Local citizens, members of Village Forest Committees, students and staff of SKUAST participated in the ceremony and planted saplings of various species like Alstonia, Kanak Champa, Amla, Arjun and Barringtonia.
The function concluded with vote of thanks by Regional Director, Social Forestry, Jammu, Mr. Upinder Pachnanda
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
