RAJOURI: A monsoon mass plantation drive was today kick started by the Forest Department in Rajouri district starting from Government Medical College Rajouri. Deputy Commissioner, Vikas Kundal initiated the drive by planting a sapling of Peepal in the premises of the Government Medical College, in presence of Conservator of Forest West Circle Rajouri, Vivek Verma, Divisional Forest Officer, Dr A.D. Singh, DFO Social Forestry, Naveed and Dr Chander Shekhar; Superintendent GMC Rajouri Dr. Mehmood Chowdhary as well as staff and students of Govt. Medical College Rajouri.
All the wings of the Forest Department were involved in mass plantation at campus and more than 500 saplings of Chinar, Bargat, Bottle-Brush Guava and other ornamental species were planted by students with the help of Forest Department. The DC Rajouri appreciated the efforts of the Forest department for speeding up the Har Gaon Hariyali campaign.
Divisional Forest Officer Dr A.D. Singh shared the importance of plantation in preventing climate change, soil erosion, the role of trees in hydrological cycle and food chain. He said the Rajouri Forest Division has set a target of planting 1 Lakh trees this year under Har Gaon Hariyali.