SRINAGAR: The Forest Department and Srinagar Municipal Corporation today conducted a joint sanitation drive in the forests of Shankaracharya hillock here. During the drive, non-biodegradable items were removed from the roadsides, viewpoints, temple site and other station points. Conservator of Forests Srinagar Circle, DFO Urban Forestry Division, Range Officer S.Park, Sanitary Officer Srinagar and Nazir-Be-Nazir NGO also participated in the joint exercise.
The Urban Forestry Division Srinagar has initiated the revival of old Forest Checkpost at the base of the hillock on the instructions of Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir. It was decided that forest officials would counsel visitors not to carry any non-biodegradable items such as polythene, plastic bottles, wrappers etc into the forest as they are declared restricted henceforth. Shankaracharya forest is a man-made forest being a noted successful afforestation story of J&K Forest Department and is a celebrated pilgrimage destination to Shankaracharya temple.