Shimla, July 14: More than 250 saplings of medicinal and indigenous tree species were planted at Junga and Chakhra, Kajewara, on Tuesday as part of a plantation drive organised jointly by the Nari Shakti Gram Sangathan, Junga, the local gram panchayat and Pahari Samaj Paryavaran Kavach Sanstha.
The drive included plantation of deodar, amla, daru, harad, ban oak and reetha, among other species, with the aim of promoting environmental conservation and increasing green cover.
Ward member Yogmaya Sharma said the saplings were provided by Major Atul Kaushik, founder of the Pahari Samaj Paryavaran Kavach Sanstha. She urged people to utilise the monsoon season by planting trees on vacant private land, saying afforestation plays a vital role in protecting the environment.
Major Atul Kaushik appealed to women’s groups across the Junga area to turn plantation into a people’s movement and encourage greater public participation in environmental conservation.
The plantation drive was attended by Junga Police Battalion Commandant Bhupendra Negi, Gram Panchayat Pradhan Ramlal, LRP Suman Sood, organisation representative Raveena, personnel of the Junga Police Battalion, members of the Nari Shakti Gram Sangathan and a large number of local residents.
