Srinagar, Mar 18: Experts have underscored the need for plantation of more and more deodar saplings, the prized evergreen conifers, this spring.
 Dr OP Sharma aka Vidyarthi, a prominent expert on Forestry and senior official in the Forest department opines that on World Arbor Day, which falls on March 21, plantation of deodar conifers should be given preference in Srinagar.
 “Cedrus Deodara fondly named as Deodars or Devdars are most fascinating trees of Kashmir. They are held in high esteem and appear more graceful and fabulous in their pyramidal shapes and architecture of branches looking superb and mesmerizing when horizontal boughs are laden with snowflakes in winter season,” Dr Vidyarthi wrote to Greater Kashmir.
 “No other conifer is so attractive as is Deodar and for this reason is selected by tree planters for planting on Arbour day. Airport to Lal Chowk on both sides of the road in Srinagar is an ideal selection for this year’s Arbour Day Plantation as it will be raised in the year which United Nation has already declared as International Year of Forests,” Dr Sharma, who has authored some 36 books on forestry and literature, added.
 “On the auspicious occasion of Nauroz and World Arbour Day, let us rededicate ourselves to do large scale planting wherever we find treeless spaces, strips, wastelands or farmlands. The Conifers are extant naked seeded trees which remain evergreen not only during summer but also during winters when greenery is at its lowest ebb and only green are the conifers.”
 Referring to the popular saying of saint Sheikh Noor Ud Din Noorani (RA), Dr Sharma said: “His famous saying Ann Poshi Teli , Yeli Wann Poshan reflects underlying connection between forests and cereal production emphasizing the fact that agriculture is subservient to forests around .”
 Pertinently Dr Sharma’s Tree Talk, an awareness program on importance of trees, became an instant hit in Jammu since its start past winter. The expert, who has held over a dozen Tree Talks in the winter capital plans to continue with the endeavor in Srinagar, this summer.
 Meanwhile, another expert on forestry said the SMC and other organizations including schools should hold special Deodar plantation drives.
 “Let there be an involvement of Mohalla and Masjid Intizamiyas as well in the plantation and its conservation,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 18 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 19 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST