SRINAGAR, Feb. 23 -- The Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department has unveiled an ambitious plan to plant 1.5 crore saplings upto March end this financial year, aiming to improve the region's green cover and mitigate climate change.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF/HoFF) S.K. Gupta, announced the initiative during a plantation drive at Ompora city forest.

Addressing recent concerns over increased forest fires, PCCF attributed the incidents to a prolonged dry spell. He said that swift action by forest officials had prevented significant damage.

The department is also taking steps to strengthen its workforce by referring vacancies to the SSRB for recruitment, he stated.

In a move to support local farmers and expand tree cover out...