Ped Lagao Beti Ke Naam: Mass plantation held along Jammu Ring Road

Jammu, March 8: The Department of Social Forestry on Wednesday organized a special plantation drive along the National Highway Ring Road NH-44, at Chak Avtara Gram Panchayat to mark the celebration of International Women’s Day.
Over 300 participants including volunteers of women SHGs, girl students, representatives of PRIs, staff of Social Forestry and NHAI, Eco Club members, Van Mitras, the womenfolk of adjoining villages and their children took part in the drive.
Also, the members of the Indian Forest Service Officer’s Wives Association (IFSOWA) participated in the plantation program organized under the theme “Ped Lagao Beti Ke Naam”, an initiative of the J&K government to involve women and girls in afforestation, environmental conservation and awareness generation.
On this occasion, more than 1000 tree saplings of various species were planted. The locals rendered their valuable support and pledged to protect the plantation.
Principal Chief Conservator Forest and Director Social Forestry, Roshan Jaggi, was the chief guest on the occasion. While speaking on the occasion, the PCCF appreciated the “wholehearted” support and participation of gram panchayat members and local women and other stakeholders in carrying out the plantation event successfully.
He said that under Social Forestry’s various initiatives, efforts are being made to scale up tree plantation on lands belonging to Gram Panchayats and also promote plantation on farmer’s land. “Gram Panchayats are playing a proactive role in the active engagement of local people to take up afforestation as a gainful farming enterprise to increase their income and enhance livelihood opportunities in rural areas,” he added.
District Development Council member Bishnah, Dharminder Pal, Regional Director, National Highways Authority of India, Rohin Gupta, Ravi Kesar, Advisor NHAI and officers of Social Forestry and NHAI were also present.
Regional Director NHAI said that as part of collaborative efforts of both organizations, a big initiative has been taken up in J&K to raise plantations along newly constructed highways including Jammu-Udhampur, Qazigund–Srinagar and Jammu Ring road stretches.