JAMMU, Aug 6: The 24th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), in collaboration with the Tourism Department and the Forest Department, organised a tree plantation drive at Yatri Niwas, Bhagwati Nagar, on August 5 as part of the nationwide campaign to promote environmental conservation and ecological sustainability.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from officers and personnel of the CRPF, Tourism Department and Forest Department. The chief guest of the event stressed the importance of environmental protection and urged citizens to actively contribute towards a greener and cleaner environment by planting and nurturing trees.
Welcoming the gathering, the Commandant of the 24th Battalion, who is also the nodal officer for the battalion’s tree plantation campaign, outlined the objectives of the drive and reaffirmed the CRPF’s commitment to environmental preservation through sustained afforestation initiatives.
Officials of the Forest Department highlighted the ecological and environmental benefits of tree plantation, stating that increasing green cover is essential for maintaining ecological balance, conserving biodiversity and mitigating the effects of climate change.
Deputy Director, Tourism Department, Pankaj Shasan, spoke about the department’s active participation in the campaign and emphasised that a healthy environment is vital for the growth of sustainable tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
During the plantation drive, saplings of various species, including Kanak Champa, Guava, Amla, Shisham and other indigenous trees, were planted within the premises of Yatri Niwas, Bhagwati Nagar.
Among those present on the occasion were Nirmal Gop, Second-in-Command, Neeraj Gupta, Range Officer, Dinesh Joshi, Range Officer, Vaishali Ganju, Assistant Director, Tourism Department, Jammu, Joginder Singh, Chandra Singh Pawar, Susen Upadhyay, and other officers and officials from the participating departments.
The programme concluded with all participants taking a pledge to continue tree plantation drives and strengthen collective efforts towards environmental protection and sustainable development.