J-K: Udhampur Forest Division launches monsoon plantation drive
Udhampur, July 27
The Udhampur Forest Division has launched a monsoon plantation drive aimed at restoring ecological balance and expanding green cover, with a target of planting and distributing over one lakh saplings across the region.
Speaking to ANI, Udhampur Forest Division Range Officer Ayush Gupta said plantation activities had commenced with the onset of the monsoon.
"With the onset of the monsoon, the fire season has effectively ended, and we have commenced our forest plantation activities," Gupta said.
He said the department is distributing saplings in collaboration with defence forces, schools, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and private individuals to enhance tree cover outside forest areas.
Gupta said the Forest Division currently has around 1.35 lakh saplings available across its two nurseries to support the plantation drive.
He further said that, keeping in view the issue of the monkey menace, the department is carefully selecting plant species for plantation inside forests.
"The aim is to ensure an adequate food supply within the forest itself, thereby reducing the monkeys' tendency to venture into urban areas and helping us find relief from the monkey menace," he said.
Meanwhile, the Green India Challenge (GIC) launched its ninth edition from the confluence of the Godavari and Manjara rivers in Maharashtra on July 24, with a mission to plant and nurture 9.9 million native trees across the Godavari basin.
The initiative, described as one of the world's largest citizen-led climate action movements, aims to mobilise five million volunteers for the plantation drive, which will extend along both banks of the Godavari from Basar to Trimbakeshwar and across the Manjara and Pranahita basins.
The initiative had been launched in Maharashtra amid concerns over rising temperatures in the Marathwada region, which has recorded a rise of nearly 4 degrees Celsius this year, according to the GIC.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see local authorities taking proactive steps, but I hope they also monitor how many of these saplings actually survive after the monsoon. Many drives end up as mere statistics on paper. The awareness and collaboration with NGOs and schools is promising though.
As someone who has visited Udhampur, the deforestation around there is quite visible. This monsoon plantation drive is a welcome step. The idea of distributing saplings through defence forces and schools is brilliant—community involvement is key. I only hope similar drives happen in other districts too.
The monkey menace point is something many in Jammu will relate to. I've seen how these clever animals raid homes and markets. If the forest department can actually ensure enough food within forests, it would be a sustainable solution. Also, 1.35 lakh saplings is a solid target—let's hope they hit it! 🇮🇳
Interesting how the article also mentions the Green India Challenge along the Godavari. If both Udhampur and Maharashtra are seeing such drives, it shows a growing environmental consciousness. My only concern is that plantation drives need long-term maintenance—planting is just the first step.
Range Officer Ayush Gupta's approach seems practical. The timing with monsoon is perfect, and involving defence forces and NGOs gives the drive credibility. The Godavari initiative sounds massive—9.9 million trees! Hope these efforts inspire more states to follow suit. Jai Hind! 🌳
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