Commissioner Secretary Sanjeev Verma Forests kick starts plantation drive at SKUAST Forestry campus Benhama

Ganderbal : Commissioner Secretary Forests, Sanjeev Verma along with PCCF, J&K Dr Mohit Gera and VC SKUAST Dr Nazir Ahmad Ganai today kick started mega plantation drive in the Forestry Faculty of SKUAST Beehama Ganderbal.While planting a sapling of Kail, Commissioner Secretary highlighted about the role of forest faculty in rehabilitation of forests of J&K. He suggested that SKUAST should work out a module in collaboration with J&K forest Department by adoption of patches of degraded forest areas which shall be pivotal for restoration of these forests.Speaking on the occasion, PCCF J&K informed that Department has taken up some Research projects under CAMPA for execution by the faculty and the outcome of such projects shall be applied in the field. While interacting with the students, he emphasized on the career prospects of forestry education in Government and private sectors and inspired the students to take up the challenges put forth by Global climate change for a better and sustainable forestry output.

VC SKUAST in his address highlighted the role of SKUAST in Forest Research and Development. He emphasized that forest faculty and Forest Department can associate for development of working models of forest rehabilitation which shall form part of vision document of the university for the next 20 years.Under this drive, around 10,000 plants are to be planted in the Campus in the coming days.Among others APCCF Kashmir, T. Rabi Kumar; Director ICAR, Gaoranga Kar; CF Srinagar, Zubair Ahmed; Registrar SKUAST, Dr T. H. Masoodi; Dean Forestry Dr S.A Gangoo and other forest officers, Faculty members and students also participated in the drive.Immediately after attending the event at SKUAST, PCCF J&K along with APCCF Kashmir and CF Srinagar visited and inspected the plantation closures of 2020-21 CAMPA at Chanthan Co. 1/Mbl l, Block Lar of Sindh Forest division and 2021-22 CAMPA at Mulkhuihama Co. 144/kh of Bandipora Forest division.Later in the day, the Principal Chief Conservator & HoFF J&K Kashmir Dr. Mohit Gera along with APCCF/Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir inspected Compartment 144/Kh Mulkhuihama Block of Bandipora Forest Division and some conifer plants were also planted inside the closure during the visit.