Srinagar March 22:(KNS) A week long Plantation drive was started today at Faculty of Forestry, Benhama-Watlar, Ganderbal. The Programme was inaugurated at Benhama-Watlar campus by Professor Tariq Hussain Masoodi, Dean Faculty of Forestry who planted a deodar plant in the campus. The week long plantation programme is being organized by Students Welfare department headed by Dr Syed Naseem Geelani. Dean , Prof. Tariq Masoodi addressed the students on the occasion and said that International Forest Day is celebrated every year on March 21st ,with current year theme as & Forest Restoration: a path to recovery and well being & Simply meaning, sustainable management of forests will build a better future by attaining ecological improvement in the natural habitats. The Dean emphasized that owing to climate change , it has become a social responsibility for all of us especially who are in the forestry sector to aware people about the importance of forests and need to conserve and protect this green gold.Pertinent to mention that the campus is located on a Southern Slope, the restoration of which is highly challenging. Such programs have been initiated by the Faculty for past many years with the Changing micro climate of the campus the increase in biodiversity is evident.
The programe which will involve the Faculty members and the students of all the programs of UG, PG and Ph.D, will be planting many plants by their name and shall mandatorily take care of the plants for entire duration of their studies. About two to three thousand plants will be planted under this Programme in the campus which will include coniferous as well as broadleaved.
All the Heads of the departments and the Faculty members participated in the drive. Today’s Programme incharge Dr G.M. Bhat , Senior Scientist also spoke about the importance of forests.
He quoted the saying of Sheikh Noor u din Wali that “Food will thrive only till woods survive” which means that the food which we eat will be available only if the forests are there otherwise we will suffer. Organizing Secretary of the Week long Programme, Dr Syed Naseem Geelani also spoke on the importance of this day celebrated almost everywhere as World Forestry Day.
Dr Bhat and Dr Naseem thanked the Faculty members especially Dean, FoF for his support in carrying out this programme. (KNS)