Forest deptt sets up library in Budgam School to promote environmental awareness

Srinagar, Feb 22: In a first, the Territorial Forest Division Budgam has established a library in a government school located near a forest, aiming to engage students in reading environmental books and fostering awareness about forest conservation.
Ghulam Ahmad, a local resident, said that Sitaharan is a remote village in Budgam, situated close to the forest. He described it as a far-flung area where such initiatives are rare.
“This is the first time we have seen a program like this, introduced by the Forest Department,” he said. “Our Government High School, Sitaharan Halqa A and B, has been provided with an excellent facility—a library. I would like to thank the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) and the Range Officer (RO) for this initiative.”
Asif Manzoor, a student at Sitaharan School, expressed his excitement about accessing environmental books for the first time.
“Our village is located in a remote area with no access to such books. In this regard, the Forest Department has established a library in our village, offering various books on the environment,” he said. “My friends and classmates are delighted to have the opportunity to read these books at school. It will give us a better understanding of forest conservation. More such libraries should be set up in other schools.”
Syed Wasim Gull, Divisional Forest Officer of the Pir Panjal Range, Budgam, told Rising Kashmir that the library was established because of the school’s proximity to the forest, aiming to educate students about conservation from an early age.
“The initiative has been named the ‘Nature and Knowledge Centre’ to promote eco-awareness among students living near forests,” he said.
“This is the first such initiative in Kashmir by the Territorial Forest Division Budgam. It was inaugurated by S.K. Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF),” he added.