KATHUA: Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Ch. Lal Singh today conducted his maiden visit to Basholi forest division and took active part in plantation drive being held under 67th Van Mahotsav at different compartments of local forest range. CCF Jammu Roshan Jaggi, Chairman PCB Ravi Kesar, RD PCB Jammu Showkat Choudhary, JD FPF Kh. Quamardin , JD Social Forestry Roop Avtar Kaur, DFO Basholi Vijay Verma and officers of allied wings of forest department also accompanied the Minister.
The minister planted trees at Manu, Mahanpur, Plail, Bhanod, Damara, Thamlar and Athoon areas of Basholi forest range and encouraged the villagers to plant more trees as it is the only and cheapest method for maintaining quality life on planet Earth. He further said that it is the collective responsibility of the department as well as the villagers to protect the forests as they are the means of survival of human race. He said that the smuggling of forest products will be dealt sternly. Ch. Lal singh further appealed people to help the department in saving the green gold and increase it by taking active participation in plantation drive.