KATHUA: The Department of Social Forestry is celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav by organizing a series of events as Jan Utsav in the spirit of Jan Bhagidhari.
In continuation of this social campaign, the Phinter -Billawar road median plantation strip was today inaugurated by the Chairperson District Development Council Kathua, Col (Rtd), Mahan Singh, in the presence of Pr. CCF and Director, Department of Social Forestry, J&K, Roshan Jaggi, DDC member Billawar, Bikram Singh, Chairperson MC Billawar, Gopal Basotra, DDC member Mandli, Neeru Bala, BDC Member, Ashok Kumar and Additional Deputy Commissioner Billawar, Sandesh Kumar.
The event was followed by celebration of Van mahotsav-2022 on the Government Degree College campus Billawar. During the awareness campaign, the stalls set up by the department highlighted different activities and role of Social Forestry in greening J&K, improving the environment, generating employment and conserving natural forests.
Meanwhile, different species of medicinal, ornamentals, fruit and shade bearing tree saplings were distributed among the visitors and participants, free of cost. A green pledge was read out and repeated by the participants, wherein all vowed to keep the motherland clean and green, take care of animals and plants, avoid using polythene and not waste water.
During the interaction session in the Multipurpose auditorium Hall of the college, the Chief Guest, Chairperson DDC Kathua talked about the importance of trees for survival of life on the Earth. “These are precious jewels that we have to keep safe for the coming future generation” he maintained and advised the youth to keep the earth clean and green.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Director, Department of Social Forestry, Roshan Jaggi shared his vast experience and educated the masses about the role of the Social Forestry Department towards improvement of environment and elevation of socio-economic condition of the rural mass.
Prof. Anita Jamwal, the Principal of the College, DDC Member Mandli, Neeru Bala and chairpersons of the Village Panchayat Plantation Committees also spoke on the subject.
Before the conclusion of the event, Prizes were distributed among the winner College students of Debate competition held on the topic Cut the greed, not the green and the Painting competition on the theme Let’s save the Earth. The first prize in Debate competition was bagged by Manju Mahajan, while the 2nd and 3rd Prize were clinched by Kriti Sharma and Mansi Sharma.
Similarly, the first prize in the Painting competition was clinched by Rukshar Akhter, while the 2nd and 3rd Prize was bagged by Kushvinder and Simran Sharma, respectively. Earlier, a Green walk cum Anti-Plastic Drive was organised by the Social Forestry Department in the College.