Tribune-India: Dinesh Manhotra: Tribune News Service, Jammu, December 17To save Jammu from turning into a polluted city like Delhi, the state government has come up with a unique idea of creating “Smriti Van” (a forest in the memory of loved ones) on the city outskirts to make it pollution-free. Around 600 kanals have already been identified in the Narwal area to create the forest, where people will plant saplings in the memory of their loved ones. “Like other cities, Jammu is also confronted with the problem of ecological imbalance so we have decided to create Smriti Van to cope with it,” said Bali Bhagat, Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology. This will encourage people to plant saplings in the identified land so that the memory of their loved ones stays for ever. “We will start a comprehensive campaign so that people plant saplings in Smriti Van,” the Forest Minister said, adding that traditional and fruit plants will be planted in the area. The Forest Department has also decided to create a nursery in the area so that people can plant saplings of their own choice. A plaque will be erected along with the plant with brief introduction of the person in whose memory the sapling is planted. At present, the Forest Department is running timber depots in the land. “As the depots are situated just two kilometres from the city, it is the best suited place for creating the Van,” Bhagat said. Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com
Govt’s go-green idea: Plant saplings for loved ones
Tribune-India: Dinesh Manhotra: Tribune News Service, Jammu, December 17To save Jammu from turning into a polluted city like Delhi, the state government has come up with a unique idea of creating “Smriti Van” (a forest in the memory of loved ones) on the city outskirts to make it pollution-free. Around 600 kanals have already been identified in the Narwal area to create the forest, where people will plant saplings in the memory of their loved ones. “Like other cities, Jammu is also confronted with the problem of ecological imbalance so we have decided to create Smriti Van to cope with it,” said Bali Bhagat, Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology. This will encourage people to plant saplings in the identified land so that the memory of their loved ones stays for ever. “We will start a comprehensive campaign so that people plant saplings in Smriti Van,” the Forest Minister said, adding that traditional and fruit plants will be planted in the area. The Forest Department has also decided to create a nursery in the area so that people can plant saplings of their own choice. A plaque will be erected along with the plant with brief introduction of the person in whose memory the sapling is planted. At present, the Forest Department is running timber depots in the land. “As the depots are situated just two kilometres from the city, it is the best suited place for creating the Van,” Bhagat said. Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com