50 lakh saplings being planted in Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 11: A massive plantation drive is being launched across Kashmir valley and a total of about 50 lakh saplings are targeted to be planted on government and forest-land, an official spokesman said today.

He said the Horticulture department will cover an area of 2000 hectares in the valley with plantation of 12 lakh fruit trees.

Alone on Zabarwan hills in Srinagar, 200 hectares are proposed to be covered by the department, he said. In addition, 53 hectares in Gurez and Karnah areas have very recently been covered under fruit plantation programme, he added.

He said the department is starting fruit plantation drive in all the districts on a large scale in mid February 2007. Similarly, Forest and Social Forestry departments are taking up 1150 hectares of land for massive plantation with the target of planting 14.32 lakh trees while Rural Development Department is proposing to plant as many as 7.65 lakh plants on Panchayat land in the valley.

The spokesman said 43000 Chinars across the valley are being planted by the Floriculture Department starting its drive from World Arbor Day, on March 21.

He said the Floriculture Department has been asked to cover center verge of Airport road under flowery ornamental plantation and shrubs.

UNI