EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Feb 26: The Chief Secretary, B. V. R. Subrahmanyam today chaired the 19th meeting of the Steering Committee of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) to consider the Annual Plan of Operations (APOs) for the year 2021-22. At the outset, the PCCF apprised the Committee about the steps taken by the Forest Department to make the Annual Plan of Operations (APOs) under CAMPA more systematic, cost-effective and result-oriented. He also informed about the initiatives taken to protect forest areas through the digitization of boundaries, undertaking fire vulnerability mapping and using IT tools in forest damage reporting by field functionaries. The Chief Secretary stressed the use of IT tools in the preparation of thematic digital maps like GIS, GPS, ICT equipment, and use of drones and mobile apps for real-time surveillance. “These interventions can potentially increase the qualitative output of Department’s efforts towards forest conservation, protection, and regeneration”, he added. Reviewing the implementation of special projects, the Chief Secretary directed the Department to focus on catchment area treatment of the Wular Lake, rehabilitation of the Tosamaidan, and stabilization of slip areas on the NH-44 especially in the Ramban Banihal section. He also asked the department to take up peripheral plantation in pockets of land around industrial estates, roads, and public buildings including schools, besides, developing city forests in both the divisions. For effective monitoring and evaluation of CAMPA works, the Chief Secretary emphasized putting in place a rigorous monitoring mechanism by clubbing and placing suitable number of projects under the supervision of a high-ranking officer.
Administrative Secretaries of departments of Finance, Home, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Forest Ecology & Environment, Tribal Affairs, besides, Chairman, SWRRA, PCCF J&K, Director Ecology, Environment & Remote Sensing, APCCF (CAMPA), Regional Officer Chandigarh and senior officers of concerned departments participated in the meeting.
|
