Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), J&K, Dr. Mohit Gera today launched massive plantation drive through ‘Seed Ball'(SB)(Mud Coated Seed Balls) at Nashri area of district Ramban to intensify ongoing ‘J&K Green Drive’ initiated by the J&K Forest Department across the UT. Dr. Mohit launched the innovative plantation drive by throwing a few SBs around and on the slope of a prominent Nashri slip or landslide prone area. DFO, Batote, Kuldip Singh; DFO, Ramban, Rajan Singh; Project Officer, NH1A Protection, Raj Kumar and Range officers, SS Chib, Angraz Singh and Sanjiv Bogia besides PRIs and other prominent persons were present on the occasion. According to Dr. Gera, about 3000 SBs were thrown around in the area by the Forest Officers and officials of Forest Division, Batote which is a part of the total target of 9 lakh sapling plantation in the J&K UT. The SBs used today mostly consisted of the seeds of Grevillea robusta (Silver Oak), Dalbergia Sirsoo (Shisham), Setaria grass, Panicum grass, Pins roxburghii (Chir pine) and Melia azedarack (Dhrauk). While speaking to the media men Dr. Gera said that this is an easy plantation method that has also been used in other parts of the world and it has been used in the J&K UT including Ramban district at those places where the old landslides have become stable and need plantation for further stability. The PCCF said that all DFOs have to personally take the initiative forward and involve panchayat members, school children, NGOs, and others in this noble cause. He also lauded the efforts of the staff of the Forest department for putting in strenuous efforts for the success of the plantation drive.
