As a part of celebrations of 50 glorious years of full statehood of Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today planted a Cherry Blossom, commonly known as Pajja at Kareru Forest near Shimla and inaugurated the year long celebrations by the Forest Department to establish the Swarnim Vatikas at different places in the State.
Jai Ram Thakur congratulated the Forest Department for taking this initiative to establish ‘Swarnim Vatika’ in each Assembly constituency to commemorate 50 years of full Statehood of Himachal Pradesh. He said that this would create aesthetic spots nearby the habitation for people to relax, enjoy and get them educated regarding significance of nature and its conservation. He said that this initiative would also enhance forest cover of the State and would sensitize and educate the people of the urban and semi urban community about the importance of forests and its conservation by involving them in the plantation activities. These Vatikas would also provide people area for recreation, where walking trails, resting and sitting places would be provided to the locals, he added.
Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj congratulated the Forest Department for this initiative and said that local community especially the people living in the urban and semi urban areas are required to be associated with the causes of environment and forests.
Forest, Youth Services and Sports Minister Rakesh Pathania said that at least 68 ‘Swarnim Vatikas’ would be established in the State in different Assembly constituencies during the coming year.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. Savita said that this initiative aims at creating an integral space for interaction between human and nature in close vicinity of habitation. She said that 800 saplings of Cherry Blossom are proposed to be planted which also has medicinal value and considered to be a general tonic and useful in burning sensation of the body.
Mayor Shimla Municipal Corporation Satya Kaundal, Deputy Mayor Shailender Chauhan, Councillors, ACS Forest R.D. Dhiman, Chief Conservator of Forests S.D. Sharma and other senior officers of the Forest department were also present on the occasion.
