On the occasion of India’s 78th Independence Day, the JICA Forestry Project continued its plantation drive. A Van Mahotsav (Forest Festival) was celebrated in Chhainmaigal of Nachan Forest Division in Mandi District and in Mathala-Palalang of Kullu. Women carrying saplings on their backs and the national flag in their hands enthusiastically participated in the plantation drive, ensuring that the Independence Day celebrations were coupled with efforts to green their surroundings.
On Thursday under the aegis of the Village Forest Development Society (VFDS) of Chhainmaigal, members of the Self-Help Groups (SHGs) associated with the JICA Forestry Project and local villagers planted 1,000 deodar saplings in Nachan Forest Range. The members of the Jaidev Kamrunag SHG and Ekta SHG from Chainmagal actively participated in the plantation campaign. Narendra Kumar, President of the Village Forest Development Society, Ranjeet Singh, FTU Coordinator of Nachan Forest Range under the JICA Forestry Project along with forest department staff, were present at the event.
Meanwhile in the Kullu District, under the auspices of the Village Forest Development Society of Mathala-Palalang 200 deodar saplings were planted in Naladi within the Bhutthi Forest Range. Members of the Pragatishil SHG from Mathala-Palalang also played a key role in the event. Shashibhushan FTU Coordinator of Bhutthi Forest Range, Premla FTU Coordinator of Kullu Forest Range and other forest officers and staff committed themselves to increasing the green cover in their region.
Samir Rastogi, Chief Project Director of the JICA Forestry Project and Shrestha Nand Sharma, Project Director commended the teams in Kullu and Nachan for the successful organization of the plantation drive.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
