Srinagar, Mar 05 (KNS): Principal Chief Conservator Forests, Dr Mohit Gira on Sunday said the department is going to plant 1.35 crore saplings including plantation of over 10,000 Chinars across Jammu and Kashmir this year.
Talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), he said the department is prepping to celebrate Chinar Day on March 15.
He said there are some hinderances in planting Chinars as they need lot and wide space, however they are planning to plant more than 10,000 Chinars this year.
He added due to need of wide space for saplings, the department will ensure more than 7,000 saplings and they have already planted a considerable number of Chinars in Jammu.
Dr Gira added the department will make the drive a success and in this regard advertisements through print & electronic media and other platforms will be made public to engage PRIs and school going children into the drive.
"Every year we celebrate Chinar Day, I will also be joining my officers in Kashmir on Chinar Day. Besides Chinar plantation, the department will take a massive of planting saplings across Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
He said that month of March is crucial for them, as they have series of events that will help boost forest cover in Jammu and Kashmir.
"This year we have set a target of planting 1.35 Crore saplings and we are sure to achieve this target. The department has alone around 200 nurseries of saplings. The Social Forestry and Soil Conservation departments have also their nurseries from where farmers and general public are getting saplings. Both distribution and sapling plantation take places in the month of March,” he said.
Dr Gira also said the stakeholders, PRIs, students and other people have a great role to play in increasing the forest cover.
"Every year we celebrate International Day of Forests under a new theme by United Nations, and this year the Theme is Forest and Health,” he added.
He said that things like non-timber forest produce, medicinal plants and herbs will be sustainably collected from forests by involving grassroot level institutions like tribal department, and self-help groups to utilize or sell them in an proper way. (KNS)