Mubashir Alam Wani
Srinagar, Apr 28: In a move to combat the environmental impact of urban pollution, the Department of Floriculture Kashmir has launched a major initiative to revive Srinagar’s parks and gardens, often described as the city’s ‘lung spaces’.
Speaking about the project, Director Floriculture Kashmir, Shakeel-ul-Rehman Rather said that the department plans to plant at least 15,000 perennial trees across Srinagar.
“Over the years, pollution and environmental degradation have severely impacted the health and vitality of existing plants,” he said. “Many trees have either grown too old or lost their ability to withstand changing conditions.”
The new plantation drive will focus on perennial species that require a one-time plantation effort but provide long-term benefits. “We will plant them only once,” Rather said, highlighting the department’s focus on sustainability and longevity.
The Director said that the campaign will start with Srinagar’s prominent parks and gardens and is expected to be expanded to other districts in subsequent phases. Officials believe the effort will not only enhance the green cover but also help improve air quality and urban aesthetics.
He added that the department aims to enhance the green cover of urban spaces, making them more resilient to climate change and more inviting for citizens.
