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| Ensure protection of ecology, environment: Mian Altaf to Forest Officers | | | BANI: Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad concluded two day extensive tour of Bani and Basohli during which he took stock of the activities of the Forest Department in the area and held series of review meetings.
Underlining the need for making collective efforts for protection of state’s rich ecology including, forests, water-bodies and wildlife, the Minister asked the officers to give their best to achieve this fundamental objective of the department.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Vindo Ranjan, Director Soil Conservation, U. Pachnanda, Chief Conservator Forests, Jammu, Conservator Forests, (EC) Jammu, Conservator Forests, Javed Ahmad Panzoo, SDM Basohli, Mr. Ranjeet Singh, Conservator Forests Wild Life Kathua, Mr. Shaleem- ul-Haq besides other officers of Forest Department Kathua accompanied the Minster.
Emphasizing on massive a-forestation, the Minister directed officers to take anticipatory measure and plant the saplings on open chunk of forest land in order to avoid apprehensions of encroachment.
The Minister asked the officers to be more active and intensify field visits instead of sitting in the offices. He directed them to closely monitor the activities launched by the department in the area so that the purpose of the schemes was attained. He directed officers to use the funds judiciously sanctioned under CAMPA.
Directing the department to plant trees on Bani-Mashaka road, the Minister said that it will serve two purposes of saving the forest land from erosion and adding beauty to the road. The Minister was informed that 18000 saplings of Devdar have been produced in Chandli Nursery. He directed them to sell some of these saplings to the locals for planting in their land.
Regarding the timber availability, the Minister was informed that during last fiscal about 2700 cft have been extracted and transported to the depots while a target of extracting 4000 cft has been fixed for this year. He was informed that gutted infrastructure has been repaired and restored in the district.
Mian Altaf said that protection of forests and wildlife should be priority of the department as these are the main sources of attraction for the tourists and nature lovers coming to the state. He said eco-tourism is fast picking up in the state and there was an impending need to protect and preserve the natural habitats and eco-systems.
The Minister also inaugurated Range Office at Bani completed at a cost of Rs. 11.50 lakh under CAMPA.
Later, MLA, Bani, Master Lal Chand, Sarpanches and Panches of the area met the Minister and projected various demands. They also discussed the issues related to the forest department.
The Minister also inspected Seva Hydle Power Project at Mashaka situated on border of Himachal Pradesh. He was informed that unit has generated Rs.580 crore since it’s commissioning in 2007.
Later, the Minister visited Sarthal, a tourist spot and took stock of the activities of the department. |
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