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In an effort to restore greenery to the forests of Udhampur, the Forest Division has prepared a plan to plant 1.1 lakh saplings of various species. These saplings have been nurtured in the nurseries of the Udhampur Forest Division, officials said on Sunday.
There are around six nurseries dedicated to cultivating these saplings. Among these, the Central Nursery of the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department and the Udhampur Range Mand are particularly noteworthy. Forest department employees there cultivate saplings of various varieties, which are then transplanted into the forests of the Udhampur Division, they said. According to forest officials, this initiative is crucial in light of the recent spate of forest fires in Udhampur, which have ravaged a significant number of trees. Consequently, the Forest Department has identified these fire-affected areas for the plantation drive, aiming to restore their lost verdure. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Navneet Singh elaborated on the department's nursery network and plantation plans. He stated that the Udhampur Forest Division's six nurseries have a combined production capacity of 5 lakh saplings, with over 3 lakh saplings currently in stock. Singh explained that 1.1 lakh saplings will be planted in Udhampur's forests during this phase, while an additional 20,000 saplings will be used in plantation drives conducted in collaboration with schools, colleges, the Army, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the police. He acknowledged the exceptional challenges faced this year due to the dry spell and subsequent forest fires but expressed optimism that recent rainfall will support the plantation efforts. Singh emphasized the department's commitment to addressing the damage caused by forest fires and expressed confidence that the upcoming plantation drive will not only restore lost greenery but also surpass previous efforts to revitalize Udhampur's forests. (ANI)
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