KATRA: In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting environment sustainability, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has introduced an eco-friendly practice of distributing plants as souvenirs to devotees on the occasion of World Environment Day.
In this regard, Anshul Garg, Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB today inaugurated a saplings outlet namely Vaishnavi Vatika at Niharika Complex of Shrine Board at Katra. Around 40 indigenous species of plants reared in the Board’s high-tech nursery at village Kunia in Panthal area near Katra shall be available for devotees now onwards. These species have been shortlisted based on compatibility with the local climatic conditions and feasibility for ease of transportation and transplantation.
The Chief Executive Officer after inauguration of the outlet said that this innovative approach not only aligns with the Board’s commitments to environmental stewardship but also fosters a deeper connection between spirituality and nature. He underscored that Shrine Board under the directions of Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Lt. Governor JKUT and Chairman, SMVDSB has been devoting high attention to conserve the environment and ecology and carry out the greening of Trikuta Hills and the spaces along the tracks leading to the Shrine by planting more than 1.50 lakh seedlings every year in the Shrine area for soil and water conservation. This initiative not only serves as a major contributor for increasing the green cover in the region but also strengthening the ecology and building a healthier society, he said.
A diverse selection of plants including medicinal, flowering and fruit bearing sapling are offered to devotees. These varieties of plants ensure that the initiatives cater to different preferences and local environmental conditions across the nation. It may be recalled that the Board has been continuously recognized by the concerned Ministries of Govt. of India for its outstanding works in the field of water management and environment conservation.
CEO announced that to further this initiative another outlet of these plant saplings will also be made available later this month for the devotees at Vaishnavi Dham, Jammu that shall be run in collaboration with Central Govt. Pensioners Welfare Association, Jammu (CGPWA). Apart from locals, the Jammu based outlet shall facilitate Yatris embarking upon the Shri Amar Nath Ji Shrine slated to commence from June 29.
On the occasion, CEO alongwith other senior officers of Shrine Board also planted saplings of different species around the Vaishnavi Vatika and distributed a variety of plants to the devotees.