Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Dec 13: As a result of the directions issued by Chairman, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, N. N. Vohra, continuing efforts have been made by the Chief Executive Officer, over the last four years, for conserving the environment and ecology and greening the Trikuta Hills along the tracks leading to the shrine. Over 5.50 lakh saplings, including forest, horticulture, floriculture, medicinal and ornamental species of plants have been planted during the last 4 years.
In addition,1.50 lakh saplings of different species of plants were planted during the monsoon plantation season of 2013. As many as 1.50 lakh plants are being planted during the present winter plantation season, which will raise the number of plants put in the ground to 7 lakh. The prominent species include Emblica Offcinalis, Bamboos, Syzygium Cumini, Terminalia Arjuna, Bougainvillea etc.
Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, disclosed today that, in order to generate in-house production of indigenous species of plants, which are compatible to the local climatic conditions in the Trikuta Hills area, a multi-purpose nursery with a capacity to produce more than 2 lakh seedlings per year is being set up at village Kunkuniyallan, near Panthal by the Board. The development of this nursery is being supervised by Shri B. Mohan Dass, head of the Forestry Wing of the Board.
In addition to the afforestation efforts, several measures aimed at preventing forest fires have been undertaken by the Forestry Wing of the Shrine Board. These include creation of fire lines, particularly adjoining Adhkuwari, Hathimatha, Bhawan and Bhairon areas, removal of lantana weed from the vulnerable areas and ensuring strict vigil on the ground during forest fire prone season. These efforts, monitored by the Governor at regular intervals, has resulted in there being no forest fire incident during the summer of 2013 as against 6 fire incidents in 2012.
The Chairman has also approved an Eco-restoration Plan which has been formulated keeping in consideration important aspects such as site condition, water regime and need for protection of the plantation areas. This Plan, which is being executed in the current year, includes greening activities, watershed management and forest fire management. GIS based management plan for the entire Shrine Board area is also being prepared for ensuring concurrent monitoring and evaluation of execution of the plan.
The Shrine Board has also taken up the work of landscaping and developing of public park at Banganga. Under this project, view points and pathways are being constructed, besides creating a waterfall. The Bathing Ghat near Geeta Mandir at Banganga, is also being renovated.
The Shrine Board has taken up another major initiative to train Nallahs in the Trikuta Hills to check soil erosion and ensure stabilisation of the area. As part of this initiative, Sai Nallah, which originates from Sameer View Point and ends up in Banganga, has been taken up for watershed treatment during the current year.
The Governor has advised the CEO to carry out timely execution of the plantation activities during the Winter Plantation Season and to take all necessary steps to ensure survival of the plantations carried out.
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