SRINAGAR: In order to improve green cover, the Jammu and Kashmir government will provide ten lakh saplings to farmers of the UT, officials said.
Saplings, which comprise species with local, medical, and commercial value, are designed to increase tree coverage outside forests and improve rural livelihoods.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to increase green cover in a region that has faced challenges due to deforestation and environmental degradation. By providing farmers with saplings, the forest department aims to promote widespread planting, contributing to environmental sustainability while also supporting local economies.
Officials said that the saplings will include a diverse range of species selected for their ecological benefits and economic potential. These species are expected to support local biodiversity, improve soil quality, and offer medicinal and economic benefits. The initiative seeks to promote agroforestry practices and improve environmental health by distributing these saplings to farmers.
Farmers will receive saplings suited to their specific regions and soil conditions, ensuring a higher success rate for planting and growth. The project aims to restore degraded lands and provide farmers with additional income through the sale of fruits, nuts, and medicinal plants.
In addition to this initiative, the government plans to plant over 2 crore saplings in the current fiscal year. Last year, 180 lakh plants were planted within forests and on vacant lands in Jammu and Kashmir.
To meet these targets, the government has launched campaigns such as ‘Plastic Free Forest,’ ‘Paid Lagao Beti Ke Naam,’ ‘Van Se Jal, Jal Se Jeevan,’ and ‘Mission Life’ across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir. These efforts involve PRIs and ULB representatives, police, paramilitary and armed forces, students, NGOs, eco-clubs, and citizens in increasing green cover throughout the region—(KNO).
