Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 21: To mark 65th Van Mahotsava, an impressive function was organized by Department of Social Forestry, J&K in collaboration with Department of Tourism at Golf Course Sidhra here.
Theme of the Utsva for this year is ‘Trees for the survival of Mankind’.
Minister of State for Cooperative and Forest, Manohar Lal Sharma was the chief guest on the occasion.
Director Social Forestry, Ravi Kesar, Director Tourism Jammu, Soujanya Sharma, Divisional Forest Officers besides senior officers of Forest, Wildlife, Tourism and other concerned departments were present on the occasion.
Manohar Lal, in his address, lauded the efforts put in by the Social Forestry and Tourism Department for organizing the programme which helps to generate awareness amongst people about the harm caused by cutting down the trees.
Highlighting the importance of environment preservation, he said the plantation of trees is one of the best ways to prevent global warming and reduce pollution.
He called for involving general public, school children and other stake holders in the plantation drives being launched by the Forest Department and its allied wings. He said that Van Mahotsava makes the common people aware about the need of plantation and to inspire them for afforestation.
The Minister said that nature has bestowed Jammu and Kashmir with huge natural wealth such as mountains, green forests and water springs which need to be preserved for prosperity, adding that the forests play significant role in absorbing the pollution and act as green lungs. He stressed for close coordination among different departments for beautification of State by increasing the green cover.
Director Social Forestry Ravi Kesar, talked about climate change and its impact and also stressed on involvement of local people and school children to achieve success in protection and development of forests on long term basis.
Director Tourism said that forests and human beings are inter-dependent on each other for their survival and ‘it is our duty not only to preserve the forests but also plant more trees and ensure their survival’. He said that forests are basic requirement to maintain the ecological balance.
Follow our WhatsApp channel