Educational institutions to get green cover: Lal Singh

JAMMU : Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Choudhary Lal Singh today launched a special plantation drive at Women’s College, Gandhi Nagar here.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the Forest Department shall provide green cover to the schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the State. He said the Government is also aiming to popularize plantation with sustained drives in various regions of the State.

The Minister said the ongoing season is best time for plantation and the Forest Department has taken it in mission mode to cover maximum area under green cover. He asked the concerned officers to intensify the plantation drive during the rainy season while stressing on planting the saplings of ornamental and fruit plants that can sustain the local weather conditions in the educational institutes.

Interacting with the students and the staff of the college, Singh said the Forest Department has initiated massive plantation drive across the State. He said thousands of plant of fruit and ornamental and other species are being planted in identified forest locations keeping in mind local weather conditions.

Seeking the cooperation of the people, Singh asked all stakeholders to be part of the plantation drive so that ecology can be maintained properly. He said the Government is contemplating to update the Forest Policy with the aim to increase the forest wealth of the State.

The Minister was accompanied by all the heads and other senior officials of the Forest and its allied wings.