26k Trees Planted To Make Vaishno Devi Hills Greener

 Srinagar: A Mumbai-based social services organization has planted as many as twenty-six thousand trees around the revered cave-shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi tucked away in the Trikuta hills of the Katra area near Jammu to make the area greener and cleaner.

Grow-Trees.com said that its ‘Greener Katra’ project is not only enriching biodiversity but also generating employment for locals. “As Navratri celebrations unfold around the country and devotees throng the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, they are discovering, to their surprise, a cleaner and greener Katra,” it said in a statement on Friday.

Grow-Trees.com, launched and dedicated to the Planet on World Environment Day on June 5, 2010, has plated over 26,000 trees to expand the green cover in Katra as the hilly destination draws multitudes of pilgrims annually and, due to deforestation and tourism-related development, it has over the years witnessed environmental degradation, soil erosion, diminished water retention, ecological imbalance, pollution, and diminished biodiversity.

“Recognising that reforestation is essential to restore ecological stability, social organisation Grow-Trees.com has planted over 26 thousand trees to expand the green cover in Katra. The project, 'Trees for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi,' has also played a critical role in generating employment opportunities for the locals,” it said.

Pradip Shah, the co-founder of Grow-Trees.com, said, “Katra has immense religious and ecological significance, and our project is an attempt to resolve some of the environmental challenges it has been facing”. He added, “These include poor air quality and the ecological imbalance created by rapidly developing urban infrastructure. Targeted reforestation is now not only helping to create green spaces on degraded land but also creating a template for ecotourism that strikes the right balance between the needs of the pilgrims and the preservation of biodiversity."

The trees planted include Khair (Acacia catechu), Bil Patri (Aegle marmelos), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Simbal (Bombax ceiba), Palash (Butea monosperma), Tunnu (Cedrela Toona), Gulmohar (Delonix regia), Amla (Emblica officinalis), and Safeda (Eucalyptus citriodora), among others.

The organisation has claimed that strategic plantation planning and adaptive measures helped address challenges like difficult terrain and erratic weather conditions, while local communities were engaged to ensure the long-term care of the planted saplings. "Their engagement is crucial, as they take on the responsibility for essential tasks such as regular watering, weeding, and monitoring the planted saplings. Additionally, they protect the saplings from potential threats, including grazing by cattle," Mr. Shah said.

Ankush Dogra, Site Supervisor, added, "I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the positive changes we are bringing to Katra. Overseeing the planting process, I see the dedication and hard work of our community members, and it fills me with pride”. He added, “This project not only combats air pollution and restores biodiversity, but it also creates jobs for the local people. Every tree we plant represents hope for a healthier environment. It’s inspiring to see the community come together to nurture these saplings.