Srinagar, Mar 21: Hundreds of saplings were planted across the Valley on Sunday on the occasion of World Arbor day. Various functions and plantation drives were organized by the Social Forestry Department and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to commemorate the day. 
The Forest Minister, Mian Altaf, who presided over a function held at Amar Singh College here emphasized upon the significance of trees for very survival of the mankind. He said the department of Social Forestry would raise 17.50 lakh plants in the state over an area of 1719 hectares during current financial year. “The plantation drives are being carried out under different schemes to rehabilitate the degraded forests.”
Altaf urged the people and NGOs to actively participate in various drives being carried out to prevent environment from further degradation.   
Earlier, the message of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah was read out on the occasion. The message emphasized on conservation of forests, afforestation and planting of saplings on massive scale.
 The function started with the ceremonial tree planting by Mian Altaf in the college lawns. The Director, SFC, Shameem Ahmad, DDC Srinagar, M A Kakroo, Principal Amar Singh College and other officers were also present on the occasion.
 Meanwhile,an NGO- Care Kashmir International engaged in creating awareness about environment, organized a plantation drive at Sanat Nagar Government Park and at Imamiya Park, Zadibal.
 The CKI convenor, Dr G Q Allaqaband, and social activists, Dr Javed Iqbal and Zarief Ahmad Zarief, planted Chinar and pine saplings. “Our green cover is fast depleting and there is a need to plant more and more trees. We will carry on our plantation drive in the days to come,” said Zarief Ahmad Zarief.
 Meanwhile, the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Public Distribution & Transport, Qamar Ali Akhoon has appealed the people to plant trees to supplement worldwide efforts for preserving the fragile environment.
 “The ever increasing noise, smoke and Industrial pollution has caused global warming, thereby exposing the biosphere including human life, flora and fauna to a threat of disaster”, Akhoon has said while appealing the people to join hands for preserving the environment.
 The Minister of State for Forests, Environment, Power and CAPD, Shabir Ahmad Khan, has called upon the people State to participate at a large scale in plantation drive in their areas.
 Speaking at a function, organized by Government Higher Secondary School, Manjakote, Rajouri, in collaboration with Social Forestry Department, to celebrate the World Arbor Day today, the Minister said that this day provides opportunity to all of us to plant trees and save environment. He said with the passage of time not only the population has increased but the need of individuals for forest products has also increased manifold.
‘POLYTHENE REMERGING IN VALLEY’
The Dean Academic Council, University of Kashmir, Prof Mushtaq Ahmed Kaw today said the polythene was re-emerging in the Valley. “Measures are required to control the menace,” he added.
 Prof Mushtaq was addressing a seminar “Save Mother Earth” on “World Arbor Day” organised by Green Planet Bio Product, reputed pro environment organisation in collaboration with College of Education M A Road and SKUAST-K here.
 Addressing the gathering, Director Information  Farooq Renzu highlighted the importance of afforestation and quoted Sheikh-ul-Alam (RA) who has said “Aan Posh Teli Yeli Van Posh” (Food is subservient to forests).
 Meanwhile, a plantation drive was inaugurated by Principal Regional Extension Training Centre, Budgam Ghulam Nabi Bagwan at Budgam.
 In a statement, he emphasized that the plantation of saplings was demand of the time. “We have to preserve trees for the future generations,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST