Jammu: Today in its general body meeting, Paryavaran and wasteland development co-operative society, Nagrota, Jammu has organised one day conference on environment at K L Sehgal Hall, Abhinav Theatre, Jammu. The theme of the conference was ‘Together we can grow more forest on wasteland to serve the life on land’. It has been observed that forests are under great stress in many parts of the world including India due to climate change, biodiversity loss, increasing population pressure & illegal forest cutting. Forests are essential for achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals especially Goal No 13 which is climate action. With their rich ecosystem services, they provide livelihoods, food and energy, store carbon and host more than 80% of terrestrial biodiversity. Current and future generations need to learn about and understand forests and its benefits in order to ensure that they are in a position to sustainably manage these precious resources.
Shri Devender Singh Rana, ex MLA Nagrota said.
While welcoming the participants consisting of political leaders, environmentalist, special invitees and guests coming from all over the Jammu region, Sh Gandharav Singh Thakur, Chairman Paryavaran and wasteland development co-operative society, Nagrota, gave an overview on wasteland available in the country and the importance of converting the wasteland into green zones.
He emphasized on the importance of the role of civil society especially organizations in transforming wasteland into full fledge forests. One such afforestation initiative was taken by people’s movement at the bank of river Tawi at village Chak Rakhwalan, Nagrota where over 40,000 saplings were planted in the year 1990. Over the years, the same enclave was converted into a manmade forest supporting a strong biodiversity in the region and offering tangible and intangible benefits to locals of Jammu.
In his statement, he has appealed to the Hon’ble LG J&K for constituting J&K Wasteland Development Board to transform wasteland into green zones. In the presence of august gathering, a resolution was also adopted by the Board of Directors to dedicate Chak Rakhwalan forest in the name of former Prime Minister of India, Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The resolution adopted shall be forwarded to Hon’ble Prime Minister of India through Hon’ble LG J&K. Earlier the program was started with lamp lightening ceremony by the dignitaries followed by oath ceremony by Board of Directors. Vote of Thanks was presented by Shri Madan Lal Abrol, Managing Director Paryavaran and wasteland development co-operative society, Nagrota. Others who spoke on the occasion were Shri Rameshwar Dutt, Shri Joginder Singh, Smt Sakshi Magotra, Adv Zaffar Iqbal and Shri Paras Sawhney.
