SRINAGAR: Urban Forestry Division, Srinagar, today launched a public sale of conifer saplings at PC Depot, Qamarwari here. The sale was inaugurated by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmed Khan. Chief Conservator of Forests, Conservators of Srinagar Circle, DFO, Urban Forestry and other officials of the Department and allied departments were present.
The Divisional Commissioner while highlighting the need for intensive plantation said that “We should not only plant saplings but also need to nourish it, to make it grow. Forest officials said that the focus is on planting indigenous conifers of Deodar, Kail and Fir varieties. The sale centers have been established for public convenience at different places including Forest Headquarters at Sheikh Bagh.
Conifer saplings were sold at a highly subsidized rate of Rs 13.50 per sapling and are being kept available for public till March 31, 2017. The department has a target of planting 15 lakh saplings this year which includes 3 lakh saplings in Srinagar. Later, the Div Com along with the Forest officials visited Kral Sangri Nursery at Cheshmashahi in Srinagar. He was informed that the department has made 5 lakh saplings available for plantation, which includes Deodar, Kail, Fir and Pine. The Department has also made 34,000 medicinal plants available for plantation this season.