Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Oct 7: Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology Ch Lal Singh today called upon students to contribute in spreading awareness about the protection of wildlife.
“Your contribution will go a long way in supplementing the Government’s endeavours towards conservation of wildlife when the message will be taken to every household”, the Minister said.
He said on its part Government has taken series of steps for further streamlining the functioning of the Wildlife Department. “But tangible results can be achieved by taking all stakeholders on board, especially the young generation who are future custodians of State’s rich legacy”, he added. “Our endeavours are directed towards taking urgent steps to save and protect State’s wildlife and prevent extinction of endangered species”, he informed.
The Minister was speaking at a function organized at Government Degree College (GDC) Kathua to observe Wildlife Week 2017 MLA Kathua, Rajeev Jasrotia was also present on the occasion.
The aim of the programme was to make the students aware about importance of forests and wildlife and their protection. The week is celebrated every year from October 2 to October 8. This year the Department of Wildlife Protection is celebrating the event in association with Government Degree College.
The Minister said that State Government has taken a series of measures for conservation of forests and the wildlife. “The Forest Department has planted 2 crore saplings in the State to maintain and restore the green cover. Plantation has been carried out all along National Highway and other roads, while 30% of plantation are fruit plants”, Lal Singh added.
MLA Kathua, Rajeev Jasrotia in his address said State’s biodiversity and the rich gene pool resources are a priceless treasure that needs to be conserved. He said the conservation of wild life has immense socio- economic, ecological and bio- aesthetic importance for man-kind.
As a prelude to the Wildlife Week celebrations an inter College symposium was held on “Wildlife conservation need of the hour” in which several college students participated.