Srinagar, April 07 : Minister for Higher Education, School Education, Health and Medical Education, and Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo, on Tuesday launched a plantation drive in Jammu and Kashmir.
The programme was held at SRML Higher Secondary School in Jammu, marking the start of a plantation drive across educational institutions in the Union Territory.
Addressing the gathering, Sakeena Itoo said that increasing green cover is necessary for ecological balance and environmental protection. She said educational institutions should involve students in such activities.
The Higher Education Department has prepared a plan for the drive in colleges across J&K. Around 10,000 saplings will be planted under the programme. The plan includes identification of sites, participation of institutions and monitoring of plantation.
After the launch in Jammu, the plantation drive was started in Srinagar at Government Degree College Bemina and Government Degree College for Women, M.A. Road, by Special Secretary Higher Education, Shafaqat Iqbal (KAS), and Director Colleges, Prof. (Dr.) Sheikh Ajaz Bashir.
The drive was also carried out at Amar Singh College, Srinagar, where Commissioner Secretary Higher Education, Ram Niwas Sharma (IAS), joined the programme along with the Director Colleges and college authorities.
Saplings of flowering peach were planted on the campus.
Officials said that activities carried out in colleges were shared with the minister, who also interacted with Director Colleges and some college principals.
Students, faculty members and college administrations took part in the plantation drive.(KNS)
