ANANTNAG: Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Mr. Muneer ul Islam, Thursday launched a massive plantation from Dandipora Kokernag. The plantation drive, organized by Soil and Water Conservation Department of Forests involves plantation of thousands of saplings of indigenous varieties at identified denuded spots across the district. During the drive, 20,000 plant saplings and 7500 poly-raised saplings will be planted besides planting of exotic conifers along the barren patches and construction of crib structures at identified spots would be also undertaken.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner said that the plantation drive has been launched to reclaim the green patches where afforestration and grazing have severely damaged the forest cover. He said it is an initiative to increase forest cover of the district to transform it into a green district. He said that plantation will not only help in restoring the forest cover of the areas but will also serve as a natural boundary to prevent encroaching of the precious forest land in the district.
The DDC also urged the people especially students to carry forward the mission of plantation at their own level planting saplings at schools and their homes at any time of the year. He said rather than being administrative initiatives restricted to offices and colleges, plantation should become a routine work, performed by every individual throughout one’s life.
The DDC also said that during current season, various departments like school education, RDD, and other forestry related departments will be roped in to carry forward the initiative in the district.