SRINAGAR: The J&K Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD) today organized special tree plantation drives at Eco Park, Foreshore Road in Srinagar and JDA Park and Muthi Camp in Jammu, to commemorate the World Environment Day under the national campaign "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam".

In Srinagar, the event was attended by MLA Hazratbal, Salman Sagar; Commissioner Secretary H&UDD, Mandeep Kaur; Commissioner, SMC, Dr. Owais Ahmed; VC, LCMA, Shahid Saleem; MD, AMRUT, Vikas Sharma; Director, ULB-Kashmir Qazi Sarwar; VC, SDA, Mohammad Rafi; MD, J&K Housing Board, Shahbaz Mirza; MD, NULM, Mridhu Salathia; CEO, Urban Development Agency, Mir Zahida among others.

Salman Sagar, planted the inaugural sapling, marking the beginning of the drive.

"This is a commendable initiative that will enhance our flora and fauna. These trees, as they grow, will improve our environment, purify the air and contribute to a healthier ecosystem for future generations, maintained Sagar."

Mandeep Kaur, while addressing on the occasion, stated that "through 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', we aim to create green spaces while honoring the unconditional love of mothers. We urge every citizen to join this noble cause so that a better world is created to live in."

Meanwhile, various officials and SHG members of NULM planted numerous saplings and discussed strategies for urban greening, environmental conservation and sustainable development.

Dr. Owais Ahmed said, "Such initiatives are crucial for maintaining the ecological balance in our cities."

Simultaneously, at Jammu, the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign was launched under the Women for Tree Campaign, an AMRUT MITRA initiative by the MoHUA.

The event at JDA Park, Muthi Camp, was kick-started by MLA Jammu West, Arvind Gupta, who planted a tree sapling marking inauguration of the ambitious drive.

The program was attended by Pankaj Sharma, Vice Chairman, Jammu Development Authority; Parvaiz Naik, CEO, Jammu Urban Development Agency; Narinder Kumar, Superintending Engineer, JDA; Pooja Wazir, Executive Engineer, JDA and Jagdish Hans, Chief Town Planner, along with members of DAY-NULM Self Help Groups (SHGs) and officials from JUDA, JDA and the Forest Department.

The Women for Tree Campaign, which began today, will continue till 31st August 2025, during which AMRUT MITRAS, Women Self Help Groups under DAY-NULM will plant over 2,700 trees across 51 locations, including water bodies and parks in various municipalities of J&K. The SHGs will also nurture and maintain the planted trees for two years.