Enhancing greenery: Plantation campaign launched in AJK

Forests department hopes to double the plantation next year

MUZAFFARABAD: A plantation campaign was launched in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Sunday to enhance the beauty of the region’s tourist spots.

The drive under the AJK’s forest, wildlife and tourism departments was inaugurated by planting a sapling at the famous resort of Saran valley, 30 kilometres from Muzaffarabad.

A group of young probation officers from a training programme of the Civil Services Academy Lahore planted the saplings.

“Apart from filling the empty spaces in forests with trees, we have also decided to plant saplings  at 20 tourist destinations of Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot and Leepa Valley to make them more attractive for the visitors,” Farhat Ali, secretary of forests, said.

He said that the next phase of plantation will be started in Karen and Sharda areas of Neelum Valley.

“Nearly 5,000 trees would be planted at every tourist spot and next year it would be doubled,” he added.

Saanghar Malik, a participant of the training programme, said that he was impressed with the natural beauty of Saran and would love to visit again and again. He said, “I have visited various hilly areas and Murree as well but the enchanting beauty and dense forests of Saran have no match across Pakistan.”

A young female probation officer Amina said that she belonged to Peshawar and had heard about the beauty of Kashmir, but found it much more beautiful than she had imagined. She said families should come to Kashmir more to explore its beauty.

Senior officers of the forest, tourism and wildlife departments also briefed the visiting training participants on the history of AJK, along with its tourism potential and the existing endangered species of the region.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7^th, 2016.