RAJOURI: Nowshera Forest Division today conducted a mega plantation drive here at CRPF campus Sunderbani under “Green J&K Drive.”
During the drive, 2500 plants of different species were planted. Conservator of Forests West Circle, Rajouri, B. Mohandass, was the chief guest and Commandant 72 Battalion CRPF Shree Ram Meena; Divisional Forest Officer Sunderbani Suresh Manda and Additional District Development Commissioner Sunderbani, Vinod Kumar were the guests of honor.
District Development Councilor Sunderbani, Rajinder Sharma, Sarpanch Lower Bhajwal Lok Nath with a number of locals and CRPF personnel participated in the plantation drive.
B. Mohandass gave a brief introduction about the Green J&K Drive, its objectives, strategy to achieve the goal of plantation. He emphasized on importance of medicinal value of plants in increasing the immunity during the crucial time of Covid. He requested all the local body members and the members of civil society to actively participate in the plantation drives in order to achieve the goal of maximum plantation during the monsoon.
The drive was started by ceremonial plantation of Raaj harar plant. Raaj Harar plant is very rare medicinal plant and has been raised by Rakesh Verma Range Officer Sunderbani at his own after 20 years of experiments. Officers of civil administration also participated in the drive namely, Block Development Officer Sunderbani, Block Medical Officer Sunderbani, Executive Engineer PHE Sunderbani, Horticulture Development Officer Sunderbani, Range Officer Soil Range Sunderbani, Range Officer Lamberi.
Suresh Manda, DFO Nowshera emphasized on importance of plants in preventing soil erosion, role of trees in hydrological cycle and food chain.
The Horticulture Development Division Sunderbani also provided plants of Peaconnuts for the plantation drive to raise the awareness about the fruit plantation among locals, which are very useful for wildlife.
The CRFP Deputy Commandant presented welcome address, while Shree Ram Meena Commandant CRFP presented vote of thanks.