SRINAGAR: The Department of Social Forestry celebrated ‘’40th Arbor Day’’ International Day of Forestry in CRPF Campus at Humhama Srinagar today. The Minister of State for Forests, Irrigation & Flood Control, PHE and Animal Husbandry, Mr. Abdul Majid Padder attended the function as chief guest. On the occasion, the activities of the Social Forestry were highlighted. On the day of celebration, one lakh plants have been planted in the Valley in addition to target of 10 lakh plants being achieved over an area of 678 hectares of land under various schemes. As many as 15 lakh plants have been raised/restocked in the nurseries of Social Forestry in Kashmir region which include 4,59,923 male poplar cotton free plants and around 2 lakh plants of male poplars are being distributed in the Valley under Farm Forestry among farmers in various institutions.
The Minister on the occasion stressed need for protection of forests and increase in green vegetative cover by planting more and more plants. The function was attended by the Director Social Forestry Mr. A.K. Tiku, Chief Conservator of Forests Kashmir, Mr. Nissar Ahmad, IGP CRPF, Regional Director Social Forestry Kashmir, Mr. M.M. Rather and other officers of the Provincial Heads of various Wings of Forest Department.