JAMMU, JULY 28: To mark World Nature Conservation Day, the Forest Department, in collaboration with members of the Tree Talk Group and Vibe Tribe Club, Jammu organised a Nature Walk and Tree Talk programme in the Sidhra forestlands.
The event aimed to acquaint forest field staff, wilderness explorers, herbal innovators and botany experts with the rich biodiversity of the neighbourhood forests while promoting awareness about conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
The programme commenced with a ceremonial tree plantation. Among those present were Pradeep Wahule, Conservator East Circle Anurag Arya, Divisional Forest Officer Jammu Bishan Das Thakur, Divisional Forest Officer Research Division Kalpna Vinay, founder of Tree Talk Om Prakash Sharma “Vidyarthi” and herbal innovator Pooja Kapoor Suri.
During the nature walk, Om Prakash Sharma “Vidyarthi” introduced participants to the diverse flora of the Sidhra forests and highlighted the edible, medicinal and ornamental significance of several important species.
Under the guidance of herbal innovator Pooja Kapoor Suri, Om Prakash Sharma “Vidyarthi” and Dev Raj Sharma, forest field staff displayed plant specimens, edible flowers, seasonal leafy vegetables, aromatic and medicinal plants, quality saplings and a range of forest-based foods.
The exhibition featured Oleaster Sauce, Tinbru Chutney, Gokhru Snacks, Punarnava Pakodas, Commelina Snacks, Trianthema Pakodas, Rhododendron Tea, Arjun Bark Tea, Mango Modak, Vidari Kheer, Parijat Tea, Gwalmanda Dahi and other value-added forest products.
Addressing the gathering, Pradeep Wahule said forests are vital ecosystems supporting an extraordinary diversity of plants and wildlife and cautioned that overexploitation of natural resources leads to soil degradation, depletion of water resources and the decline of threatened species.
Participants planted indigenous and ecologically important tree species, including Butea monosperma, Bauhinia variegata, Terminalia chebula, Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera, Erythrina indica, Syzygium cumini and Sapindus mukorossi.
