Gram Panchayats engaging actively in Green drives launched by Social Forestry Department
JAMMU : To utilize the monsoon season for raising plantation in Educational Institutions, various Panchayats are coming forward. In this regard, in village Palwan of Panchayat Palwan a large number of locals and Sarpanchas/Panchs, BDC/DDC members organized a massive plantation drive here inside the 300 kanal area of Degree College, Akhnoor, today.
With the help of a large number of Panchayat members of adjoining Panchayats like Dhok Jagir, Dhok Ghaink, Gurah-West, Suhgal-C, Pangeri etc. BDC/DDC members & local people & teachers & other staff and students of the college, plantation of various plant species was taken up. This will help in reclaiming this large tract of denuded land into green patch which will improve the ambiance of this higher Educational Institution. It was a joint effort of the Department of Social Forestry, Village Panchayat & School Administration.
The Department of Social Forestry is organizing such plantation drives in various institutions, like Hospitals/Colleges, Panchayats with the active involvement of PRIs. The Department is also taking up plantations on Panchayat/Village Common lands/state lands with the cooperation & assistance of Panchayat members & local people, youth clubs, NGOs, students etc.
On Panchayat land, plantation assets are being raised with the cooperation of representatives of PRIs. It will on one hand enhance the green cover and improve the overall environment and on the other hand will help in perpetual income to Panchayats and interim benefits like fodder, grasses, fuel wood and small timber to local population.
During the current Monsoon Season, the Department is going to plant more than 10.00 lakh plants and more than 1.00 lakh plants shall be distributed among the farmers and other interested stakeholders, so that they can take up afforestation activities on available land.
On this occasion, PCCF/Director, Department of Social Forestry Roshan Jaggi, interacted with a large number of Panchs/Sarpanchs, members of BDC/ DDCs and some BDC chairperson.
The local people showed keen interest in availing the services of the Department to take up plantations on their farm lands.
As per the Department, more than 320 such plantation events were organized by the Department in more than 280 Panchayats during the month of July, 2021, and people are showing great interest and enthusiasm in taking up plantations at vacant available lands during the ongoing Monsoon Season. The Government recently has issued directions to actively involve Sarpanchs and Panchs in afforestation activities and their future maintenance.
Recently, Lieutenant Governor, J&K issued cheques to many Panchayat Committees as 75% share of the final harvest of the mature plantations raised by the Social Forestry Department on Panchayat lands.
Principal of Degree College, BDC Chairperson, DDC members, SDM Akhnoor, Regional Director, Social Forestry also shared their views with local people present on this occasion.