KISHTWAR, Jun 5: On the occasion of World Environment Day, Dr. Daisy Parihar, Chairperson of Sahyog Dhara NGO, strongly advocated the promotion of bamboo cultivation under the National Bamboo Mission, describing it as an effective solution for environmental conservation, flash flood mitigation, soil protection, and sustainable livelihood generation in Kishtwar district.
Addressing a plantation drive jointly organized by Sahyog Dhara NGO and the Indian Army, Dr. Parihar said that the National Bamboo Mission can play a transformative role in making Kishtwar greener and more environmentally resilient. She emphasized that bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world and possesses an extensive root system that binds soil, prevents erosion, stabilizes slopes, and reduces the impact of landslides and flash floods in hilly regions.
Dr. Parihar stated that bamboo cultivation is particularly important for Kishtwar due to its mountainous terrain and increasing vulnerability to extreme weather events. She noted that suitable cold-tolerant bamboo species can be introduced under the National Bamboo Mission, helping restore degraded land, improve green cover, and contribute significantly to ecological balance.
Highlighting the economic potential of bamboo, she said that it can generate employment opportunities for local youth through bamboo-based industries, handicrafts, furniture making, construction materials, packaging products, agarbatti sticks, paper production, and eco-friendly alternatives to plastic and thermocol. She added that bamboo requires comparatively less water, grows rapidly, absorbs substantial amounts of carbon dioxide, and releases large quantities of oxygen, making it an ideal plant for climate change mitigation.
Dr. Parihar stressed that environmental protection should not be confined to a single day of celebration but must become a lifelong responsibility of every citizen. She remarked that human beings are only temporary custodians of the Earth, and the future of coming generations depends upon the actions taken today.
She called upon citizens to stop harming Mother Earth through pollution, deforestation, indiscriminate waste disposal, and reckless exploitation of natural resources. Planting trees alone, she said, is not enough; equal emphasis must be placed on keeping villages, towns, cities, forests, rivers, and water bodies clean and pollution-free.
Urging people to adopt environmentally responsible lifestyles, Dr. Parihar encouraged waste segregation, proper garbage disposal, water conservation, energy efficiency, and protection of natural ecosystems. “The Earth does not belong to us; we belong to the Earth. Let us work collectively to build a greener, cleaner, and safer future for generations to come,” she said.
Dr. Parihar also appreciated the Indian Army for its active participation in environmental conservation initiatives. She observed that the Indian Army is not only protecting the nation’s borders but is also contributing significantly to environmental awareness and sustainable development through plantation and community outreach programmes.
On the occasion, Dr. Daisy Parihar expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Mehboob Qazi, the management, staff, and administration of Islamia Faridia School, as well as Sanjay Sharma, Principal of SDM School, for organizing meaningful World Environment Day programmes in their respective institutions. She appreciated their efforts in spreading environmental awareness among students and encouraging young minds to become responsible custodians of nature through plantation drives, cleanliness campaigns, and educational activities.
The plantation drive witnessed enthusiastic participation from Indian Army personnel, members of Sahyog Dhara NGO, teachers, students, and local residents, reflecting a shared commitment towards environmental protection and the vision of a greener and more sustainable Kishtwar.