* Kick starts plantation drive from Zabarwan Hills
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 9: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti kick started a massive plantation drive by the Forest Department in the Zabarwan Hills here today.
She planted a conifer sapling to formally launch the drive and gave her blessings to the success of the programme.
On the occasion, Minister for Forests, Ecology & Environment, Choudhary Lal Singh explained the various features of the plantation drive to the Chief Minister.
About 2.5 lakh saplings of various types would be planted in the entire Zabarwan-Shakracharya range this year under the plantation drive which has been dedicated to former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for his keen interest in preserving natural resources of the State.
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In her address, Mehbooba Mufti complimented the Forest Department for launching the programme saying afforestation is critical for a state like Jammu & Kashmir whose survival is heavily dependent on plant life and biodiversity. Also Jammu & Kashmir being a tourist State maintaining proper green cover is all the more important for us, she added.
The Chief Minister advised the department to covert the plantation drive into a public movement involving school children and all other sections of the society. She suggested planting of a sapling by each family on the birth of a new baby to ensure participation of general public in the programme.
Mehbooba Mufti said it was a matter of joy that the Wullar conservation project to be launched soon would restore the ecological system of the world famous lake to a great extent and also improve the carrying capacity of river Jhelum.
Minister of State for Forests & Environment, Mir Zahoor Ahmad also spoke on the occasion.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, A. K. Singh, CCFs; senior officers of Forest Department and Nature lovers were present on the occasion.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister honoured many jawans of Forest Protection Force for their dedicated service.
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