Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: Wildlife Department organises plantation drive at Lakkar Mandi

JAMMU: Department of Wildlife Protection, J&K today organised a Mega Plantation Drive at Lakkar Mandi in Compartment 1/P of Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary. During the plantation drive 130 trees of species of Ficusreligosa (Peepal), Ficusglomerata (Fig) and Ficusbenghalensis (Bhargad) are planted in Co. 1/P of Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary under CAMPA 2024-25 on the theme of Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, GOI “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”.

People Foundation For Save Peepal, Manda Morning Walkers Association, NGO (Himalayan Avian Society) Government Degree College Parade, Crescent Public School Janipur along with other sister organisation of Forest Department such as Territorial Forests, Social Forestry, Forest Protection Force, Ecology, Department of Environment & Remote Sensing, J&K Forest Research Institute, Forest Development Corporation actively participated in the plantation drive.

Sarvesh Rai, Pr. Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)/ Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K during the occasion brief about the concept of creating “Peepal Van” for habitat improvement for wildlife, as most species of ficus are keystone species which provide shelter, food to birds and wildlife animals.

Further, Vishav Murti Shastri (Retd. Vice Challencor Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyalaya, a Padam Shree Awardee also emphasized on religious and spiritual importance of Peepal(Ficusbenghalensis)provide mental stability. Later, Suresh Kumar Gupta, Pr. Chief Conservator of Forests &HoFF, J&K also participated in the plantation drive.

Other senior officers of Forest Department present during the plantation drive were Senthil Kumar, APCCF, Nodal Officer FCA, K Romesh Kumar, CCF-Jammu, S. Rakesh Kumar, Director, DEER, Dr. Kumar M.K, IFS, CCF/ Regional Wildlife Warden Jammu.

Bishan Dass Thakur, Chief General Manager, Forest Development Corporation, Smt. IfitAra, DCF Wildlife (HQ), Meeraj-ul-din, Joint Director, FPF, Vijay Kumar, Wildlife Warden Jammu, Harpreet Kaur, DFO-Research Jammu, Pankaj Raina, DFO, ETF Jammu, Anil Kumar Attri, Additional Director Jambu Zoo, Saleem-ul-Haq, Technical Officer to Regional Wildlife Warden Jammu.