JAMMU, Oct 12: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) workers today concluded a month-long plantation drive in Jammu city by planting saplings at Khel Gaon, Nagrota, reaffirming their commitment to environmental protection and a greener Jammu.
The event was inaugurated by Provincial Joint Secretary JKNC Ankush Abrol, who was the chief guest on the occasion. The programme was organized by Zonal Secretary and Coordinator Jammu District Urban, Dr. Vikas Sharma with the aim to enhance the green cover and promote sustainability in the region.
On the occasion, They appealed to the general public, particularly the youth, to come forward and actively participate in plantation drives. They stressed that planting more trees is essential to maintaining ecological balance, improving air quality and protecting the environment for future generations.
Addressing the gathering, Ankush Abrol emphasized the urgent need for large-scale plantation across Jammu. He pointed out that while large flyovers, bridges and other infrastructure projects are being constructed, trees are being cut down in the process, and adequate efforts are not always made to replace them with new plantations.
“Development and environmental protection must go hand in hand. If trees are continuously cut down without planting new saplings, the consequences will be visible in our deteriorating environment and changing air quality. We must plant as many trees as possible and ensure that these saplings survive and grow into healthy trees,” Abrol said.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Vikas Sharma claimed that trees are also the natural habitats for birds & several other creatures like honey bees etc, he emphasised adding that it is the necessity of the hour to double our efforts to intensify the drive for tree plantation on a war footing to tackle increasing pollution.
He urged people from all walks of life to make tree plantation a collective responsibility rather than limiting it to occasional campaigns. He also stressed the importance of nurturing planted saplings and ensuring their long-term survival.
During the drive, a large number of saplings of different categories including ornamental, herbal etc were planted in different parks as well as in vacant areas of the city.
The participants reiterated their commitment to continuing efforts for a cleaner, greener and healthier Jammu, calling upon citizens to contribute actively towards environmental conservation.
The plantation drive concluded with a collective appeal to the people of Jammu to plant more trees, protect existing green cover and work together to safeguard the environment for future generations.
The plantation drive was attended by Ashwani Dubey, Sonu Kumar, Abishek Uppal, R Kumar and others.