Today News Line JK

DC Kupwara kick-starts plantation drive at Deedikoot
Over 3 lakh plant saplings are being planted in Kehmil Forest division.

KUPWARA, MARCH 18: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Dr. Doifode Sagar Dattatray  today kick-started Plantation drive at Deedikoot Pyrethrum Forest Closure  here by planting saplings of Chinar and Deodar trees today.
The plantation drive was held under Afforestation programe of Kehmil Forest division of Kupwara district.
On the occasion, the Deputy Commisioner  said that the campaign has been started with the purpose to futher increase the green cover in the district and in coming days more such plantation drives will be initiated in different forest compartments and panchayats of the district. Speaking on the occasion, DC Kupwara, sought the cooperation of the locals and PRIs in protection and conservation of the forests.
" Kupwara district is a picturesque district due to presence of dense coniferous forests and beautiful streams. The district has vast area under forests.It is our foremost duty to protect, preserve and conserve these beautiful forests" Deputy Commisioner said.
Deputy Commisioner  interacted with local school children and asked them to develop the habit of planting and preserving more and more trees.
DFO Kehmil, Muhammad Ayoob Pandit on the ocasion said that the  Kehmil Forest division is planting over 3 lakh Deoadar, Kail, apricot, wild cherry, apple, Walnut,  Ash (Hardwood) and Kikker  saplings in various open areas of the forest division under CAMPA, Capex, and Har Gaon Haryali schemes. 
It was  informed that at Hangnikoot,  department has made a walnut -Wun where 400 walnut saplings are being planted. 
On chinar plantation it was told that more than 500 chinar saplings are being planted at different locations at important places and community lands.
It was further informed that the Kehmil Forest division is distributing  40000 male  poplar saplings among farmers for planting them  which are cotten- free and  will prove very beneficial.
Deputy Director Forest Protection Force, Ishtyaq Ahmad Tanga , Range Officers, and officials of Kehmil Forest division,  PRIs of Pazipora, Karihama, Dedikoot, and Gushi Panchayats, locals besides school children of local schools  participated in plantation drive.