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| “Celebrating rivers of India” event observed by Department of Forests | | |  Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 21: In order to commemorate 75 years of India’s independence under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” programme, Department of Forests has organized various events under the theme “Celebrating Rivers of India” to ensure maximum public outreach through Jan- Bhagidari (People’s participation) in celebrating the importance of Tawi and Devika Rivers of Jammu region in Jammu and Udhampur Forest Division . Afforestation drive, nature walk and painting competitions were conducted to emphasize the role of rivers and significance of forests in preserving the river ecosystem and hydrological security with achieve participation of school children, local people involving urban local bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions. In Jammu Forest Division Afforestation drive was carried out at the bank of river Tawi in village Dawara. During the drive, promotion of Peepal and Banyan-an initiative of Forest Department also has been launched. Speaking on the occasion Sanjeev Verma, Commissioner Secretary Forests said that the Tawi river is the soul and life line of Jammu. Most of the civilization in the world flourishes around the rivers and that the people’s participation is very important in the conservation of forests by which the rivers are conserved, he said. Verma urged that the local people and the forest department shall work in close association for mutual benefit of each other. He highlighted that the forests will not only provide clean air and water through its ecosystem services but will also generate source of employment to the local youth. Dr. Mohit Gera Pr.CCF & HoFF while addressing the gathering said that afforestation drive is a step forward in Forest department’s commitment towards Green J&K. He highlighted the importance of Forest as ‘regulator’ for maintaining water balance in the ecosystem as forests check the unregulated flow of water and slowly discharge it into the nearby Water sources including rivers. A plantation drive was also organized by the Udhampur Forest Division at the foothills of Gangera, catchment areas of Devika river, a tributary of River Basanter, also called as Gupt-Ganga and known for its religious importance and sanctity. Around 1000 saplings of various local species were planted during the event which saw an active participation of the general public, civil society, NGOs etc. Speaking on the occasion Lal Chand DDC Chairperson, Udhampur and Balwan Singh, Chairman BDC, Udhampur emphasized the religious and cultural importance of Devika River and appealed the public to plant more and more trees. |
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