- Plantation drive under Heritage Mission launched
BAN NAGROTA: Making pledge to transform Nagrota constituency pollution free by implementing eco-friendly initiatives, National Conference Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana on Saturday exhorted the people to come forward to plant more and more saplings to ensure a clean, green and healthy environs for the present and future generations. “Let’s take a small stride towards a bigger mission of saving our environment”, Mr Rana said while launching a plantation drive, as part of the Natural Heritage Mission of the Jammu Chapter of INTACH on the barren foothills of Shivaliks at Ban Toll Plaza in collaboration with Forest Department.
The Vanmahotsva drive took off with the planting of traditional heritage saplings of Peepal (Ficus Religiosa) and Banyan (Ficus Benghalensis) by Mr Rana and others. The MLA Nagrota appreciated the endeavours of the organizers and solicited the cooperation of all to make this campaign a grand success, saying plantation is imperative for a healthy and robust lifestyle, which is the catchphrase of this Heritage Mission. He hoped that every citizen, old and young, women and children will make this campaign a success and help in transforming the landscape of strategically situated Nagrota constituency.
“Let us make this constituency a model of environmental heritage for lakhs of Mata Vaishno Devi and Kashmir bound pilgrims and tourists thronging from various parts of the country to carry mesmerizing memories of the stretches they will pass during their journey”, he said and urged the sponsors to make available adequate number of saplings to the people to grow. He assured every Panchayat of the constituency will redouble efforts in having their locale green and environmental friendly.
Mr Rana said the people of Nagrota are privileged to carry forward this Heritage Mission, which is aimed at providing clean and fresh air as well as a green and clean environment across the constituency. He emphasized the need of preservation of the environment and highlighted the importance of maintenance and upkeep saplings planted by the local populace.
The Provincial President seized this opportunity to seek help of the environmentalists in generating awareness among the people about plantation in their close vicinities in the interest of healthy environment. “In order to make future generations aware of the importance of clean environment, hygiene and cleanliness such initiatives needed to be extended to rural and remote areas in a big way”, he added,
Mr S.K Bharti, Chief Conservator Forest Jammu, Dr. C. M. Seth. (State Co- Convener INTACH), Mr. S.M. Sahni (Convener INTACH Jammu Chapter), Mr Satwant Singh Rissam (Event Coordinator INTACH) and representatives of various departments and organizations were present on the launch of plantation drive. Mr Rana appreciated the efforts of INTACH Jammu Chapter and Forest Department for planting traditional-heritage plants along the National Highway, hoping this drive shall be remembered by the future generations. He expressed his gratitude to all the participating departments, organizations, NGO’s and the host community of Nagrota for supporting the pious mission started by INTACH.
During the drive, 270 saplings were planted with the support of Forest Department, Wild Life Department, Social Forestry, Environmental-Remote Sensing, Urban forestry, Food Craft Institute-Nagrota, Toll Plaza Management-NH-44, JKTDC, J&K Tourism, Environmental Sciences Department University of Jammu, Rural Development Department, J&K Police, IIPA- Jammu, Lions Club- Jammu, Rotary Club Jammu Tawi, Bharat Petroleum, Floriculture Department, NCC Directorate, Agriculture Department, Horticulture Department, Machel Mata Society, J&K Paryavaran Sanstha besides Gandhi Sewa Sadan. Prominent among those present during the plantation drive were several former Sarpanches and Panches of Nagrota constituency besides large number of people from peripheral areas.