Jammu, July 18, 2025: In a major eco-conservation initiative, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has adopted drone technology for aerial seed dispersal and planted over 17 lakh saplings as part of its annual green plan across the Trikuta Hills in Reasi district, officials said on Friday.
Highlighting the initiative, SMVDSB Chief Executive Officer Anshul Garg said, “The Board has leveraged drone-based seed dispersal to enhance green cover while preserving the natural grandeur of the shrine surroundings.” He added that the Board’s ongoing green efforts are a testament to institutional partnerships and grassroots engagement in sustainable development.
A significant collaborator in this effort is the Central Government Pensioners Welfare Association (CGPWA), Jammu, which has partnered with the Shrine Board to promote eco-awareness and sustainable practices within the local community.
With the onset of monsoon, the SMVDSB and CGPWA have jointly resumed their ‘Vaishnavi Vatika’ plant sale counter at Vaishnavi Dham, Jammu, offering 28 native plant species. These saplings have been nurtured in the Shrine Board’s high-tech nursery at Kunia village, Panthal, near Katra, and are made available to the public to encourage community-led conservation.
“These indigenous plant varieties are well-suited to the region’s ecosystem and offer the public a way to actively contribute to environmental protection,” Garg noted.
He also highlighted the Board’s broader eco-friendly initiatives under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor, which include waste and water management systems, solar power generation, and expanding green infrastructure around the holy shrine.
