Details

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 15 March 2019

• Advisor Ganai plants Chinar saplings at famous island, says Kashmir safest place for tourists
• Chinar Day celebrated across Kashmir Valley; plantation drives launched in districts

SRINAGAR: On the Chinar Day, famed Chaar-Chinari, known for spotting majestic chinar trees on Friday got a new lease of life with the Advisor to Governor, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai planting saplings. Ganai planted two Chinar trees to restore its glory in presence of tourists and representative from local travel and hospitality sector. The famous island on the Dal Lake remained abuzz with the activities and tourists were seen dotting the island.

Speaking on the occasion, Ganai said Char-Chinari is famous for its Chinar trees which need to be restored to regain its lost glory. Ganai said that he has directed tourism officials to do the facelift of such tourist attractions in Kashmir region. He said that people should have a homely feel and they should also enjoy the hospitality of Kashmiris. Ganai urged tourism stakeholders to popularize such places in their road shows and FAM tours. He said that government was taking every possible effort to promote Kashmir tourism on national and international level.

Pertinently Chinars are intricately interconnected to the lives of people and Kashmiri culture. The majestic Kashmiri Chinar (Plantus orientalis kashmiriana), locally called 'Bouin', is the symbol of Kashmir and signifies the heritage and grandeur of Kashmiri civilization. On the occasion, Ganai appealed the travellers and potential tourists to visit J&K for holidays.

“The tourist season has started and everything is normal here. Tulip Garden will also be opened soon for this season with large varieties of flowers. We want to appeal the potential tourists from within and outside the country to visit the J&K State and enjoy the natural beauty and rich tradition of unmatched hospitality,” he said. He said the tourism and other departments have put up for all the necessary arrangements for the hassle-free and memorable journey of the travellers.

On the occasion, the Advisor also interacted with the travel trade and tourists—especially a large group of 40 foreigners. Secretary Tourism Rigzin Samphel, Director Tourism Kashmir Nisar Ahmad Wani, Deputy Directors were also present on the occasion.

• Chinar Day celebrated across Kashmir Valley; plantation drives launched in districts

SRINAGAR:  Massive plantation drive was launched today across Kashmir to cover open spaces, schools, office premises, parks and gardens to mark the celebration of Chinar Day.

At BUDGAM: Deputy Commissioner Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar launched the drive by planting Chinar saplings at Bihisht Zehra Park. Being carried out by Floriculture Department, authorities have identified over thirty spots to plant Chinar trees during the ongoing Chinar plantation drive across the district.

At GANDERBAL:  District Development Commissioner Hashmat Ali Khan launched Chinar plantation drive by planting Chinar sapling   in the premises of Mini Secretariat. It was informed that the Department would plant 500 to 600 Chinar saplings at different schools and Government institutions free of cost to help improve green cover in the district. Besides Chinar saplings shall also be provided to the NGOs and Masjid committees in the district, he added.

At BARAMULLA : District Administration Baramulla launched a special drive to mark the Chinar day celebration. Deputy Commissioner Dr G N Itoo in presence of Floriculture officer Shakeel Ahmad Samoon kick started the plantation drive by planting a Chinar sapling here in the office premise.

At KULGAM: Deputy Commissioner Dr Shamim Ahmad Wani   kick started Chinar plantation drive by planting Chinar sapling in the premises of the Mini Secretariat. District Floriculture Officer, Mubashir Rafeeeq, Assistant District Floriculture Officer, Muzhar Mustafa, and other District officers and officials of Floriculture department were present on the occasion.

At BANDIPOR: Additional Deputy Commissioner Zahoor Ahmad Mir  planted a Chinar tree in the premises of Mini-Secretariat Bandipora to mark the celebration of Chinar Day. He said the dsitrict administration has set the target to plant 1200 Chinars in the district and directed the floriculture department to take proper care of the plants till required. 

At PULWAMA: Assistant Commissioner Revenue Qazi Masood launched plantation drive here. in the premises of DC office complex. The ACR highlighted the importance of trees and appealed the people to plant more trees in their surrounding areas.