Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik launched the”Green J&K Drive” at a function organized by the Forest Department atZabarwan Hills here today.
Governor, along with other dignitaries, planted the saplingsto mark the beginning of a massive afforestation drive in the State.
Governor observed that Green Jammu and Kashmir drive hasbeen launched under a major environment-friendly initiative of planting 50 lakhtrees in the State by June 2020.
Governor said that the extensive plantation drive undertakenby the Forest Department and its allied wings by involving Panchayats, CivilSociety and other stakeholders to plant trees alongside roads , railway lines,rivers, streams, canals , over degraded forest land, areas retrieved fromencroachment, and institutional areas etc will go a long way to preserve andfurther enhance the rich forest wealth of the State.
Governor observed that in the initial stage, 09 lakh plantsof various indigenous species will be planted over the identified earmarkedareas during monsoon season in Jammu region to be followed by plantation inKashmir during November-December and thereafter in March-April to achieve thetarget of 50 lakh trees by June, 2020.
He added that the Farm Forestry and Agro-forestry will bepromoted by providing quality growing stock and other technical inputs tofarmers and developing market linkages for proper sale of their produce.
Farooq Ahmad Gillani, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmirpresented the Welcome Address and Suresh Chugh, Principal Chief Conservator ofForests gave the Vote of Thanks.