Srinagar/May, 19: Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Choudhary Lal Singh Friday urged people to help Forest Department for turning Jammu and Kashmir into a green corridor of county.
Speaking to several delegations at Cheshma Shahi Guest House here, the Minister said with the active support of people, the institutions of governance at ground level are being strengthened in the State. The Minister said every individual has a key role in highlighting the concerns of the society at the appropriate foru He exhorted upon the youth to avail benefits of various schemes initiated by central and state governments to establish income and employment generating units.
Singh said the Department in order to develop green corridor along National Highway, massive plantation drives have been launched under the Greening of National Highway phase -1 project extending. The Minister said the motive of this endeavor is to develop a policy framework for the plantation of trees along highways to reduce the impact of pollution, to provide shade on glaring hot roads during summer and to risk of soil erosion.
Later the Minster interacted with several delegations from various areas of Kashmir valley, urging them to take a pledge to be eco-friendly and shun smoking.
MLC Charanjeet Singh Khalsa, Vice-Chairman SICOP Dr. Ali Mohammad Mir, Vice Chairman Horticulture and Marketing G.M Mir among others were also present during the public interaction.
