SRINAGAR: The Department of Social Forestry today organized a plantation event within the Campus of NIT Srinagar on the banks of Dal lake in which 200 trees were planted.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and Head of Social Forestry department participated in the drive.
Divisional Commissioner Pandurang K Pole, appreciated the efforts of creating green patches in Urban and peri-urban areas and informed that efforts are being made to increase Forest cover in Srinagar City under Smart City Project to tackle problem of Pollution.
PCCF/ Director Department of Social Forestry, Roshan Jaggi, informed that Social Forestry is partnering in “Green J&K Drive” which is a flagship program of UT Govt. to enhance Forest and tree cover in J&K from 55 percent to 67 percent as per requirement of National Forest Policy and also to develop additional Carbon sinks to reduce Carbon emissions, under National Action Plan on climate change.
It was further informed that the Social Forestry Department is taking up massive plantations of about 22 lakh plants across UT during 2021-22 year and about 03 lakh plants are being distributed to farmers, NGOs, Institutions as part of Green J&K Drive initiative. Panchayats are being actively involved in raising Plantation assets on Village common lands which will augment financial resources of Panchayats and help generate local employment as well.
Director, NIT Srinagar, expressed his desire to collaborate to take up such plantation drives in future involving students who are important stakeholders in the sustainable development process of India, and thus their adequate sensitization would go a long way in achieving this national goal.
Programme was organized by Social Forestry Division Srinagar in collaboration with NIT Srinagar and senior officers, NGO’s, prominent citizens, students and faculty of NIT participated in this event.