Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Feb 18: In a major green initiative, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has set in motion a year-long project to plant 55,000 saplings across the city’s 35 municipal wards.
The move, as per the officials, aims to enhance the green cover and improve air quality in the city.
A senior officer speaking on the initiative said, “The tendering process for the plantation drive is already underway. This project is designed to align with seasonal planting patterns to ensure maximum survival and growth of saplings.”
The top official said the initiative comes at a time when the city was grappling with pollution but that the recent readings of pollution levels have gone down due to the previous plantation drives.
Officials believe that the large-scale plantation will help in curbing rising pollution levels and providing cleaner air to residents in the city.
The top official added that apart from greening zones, the SMC was also focusing on the renovation of fountains across the city to enhance the urban landscape. “Fountains not only add to the aesthetic appeal but also contribute to maintaining a cooler and fresher environment in public spaces,” the official added.
The official said the project was set to unfold and that they hope to make a tangible impact on the city’s environment while promoting a healthier urban ecosystem.
Notably, Srinagar city has witnessed a massive revamp under the works taken under the Srinagar Smart City projects. As per the officials, majority of the work has already been completed, while there was marginal percentage of left-out work underway in the city.
