KATRA, JULY 12 - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is making continuing endeavours to conserve the environment and green the Trikuta Hills and the spaces along the Tracks leading to the Shrine. Towards achievingthis objective, the Shrine Board under its current Monsoon programme of AnnualGreening Plan launched plantation drive today at Adhkuwari under which 1.50lakh saplings will be planted in the Shrine area during the on-going plantationseason. These will include forest, horticulture, floriculture, medicinal andornamental species.

Mr. Simrandeep Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Shri MataVaishno Devi Shrine Board, launched the plantation drive by planting saplingsof Peepal, Bargad and other species of trees at Adhkuwari. Thereafter, amassive plantation drive was undertaken in Adhkuwari area in which a largenumber of visiting pilgrims and the staff of the Shrine Board took part. Thespecies being planted include Chinar, Peepal, Bargad, Harad, Bhera, Amla,Jamun, Arjuna, Bauhinia, Amrud, Imli, Amaltas, Marigold, Sunflower, Balsam,Pansy, other soil binder species, etc.

All these saplings have been made available for plantationby the hi-tech Nursery established by the Shrine Board at Kunia, Panthal toin-house meet the quality planting material requirements of the Board.

Among those present on the occasion of launching of theplantation drive included Mr. Vivek Verma, Additional CEO; Mr. Deepak Dubey,Dy. CEO; Mr. Vinay Khajuria, ACF; and other concerned officers and staff of theShrine Board.