Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, June 4: Minister for Forests and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad has said that Rs. 10 crore are being spent under an afforestation programme in Gurez and 2180 hectares of land are proposed to be brought under this programme. He said plantation of trees, including fruit plants, setting up of nurseries and checking of soil erosion would be the part of the programme.
This was stated by the Minister while taking stock of the progress of afforestation programme, at an officers meeting, launched by the Forest Department in the backdrop of construction of Kishan Ganga Hydel Power Project at Gurez in Bandipora district.
The Minister said that Rs 1.00 crore has been earmarked for provision of alternate source of energy including gas connection to the local households of the area in order to reduce the pressure on the forests.
Underlining need for inter departmental coordination, Mian Altaf asked officers to start work on the project early. He instructed them to visit the site and ensure that targets of the work are achieved.
Expressing displeasure over the delay in the project, the Minister stressed upon the officers to redouble their efforts so that the targets of the project are achieved in time. Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, PHE Irrigation & Flood Control, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, who is also MLA Gurez, Commissioner Secretary, Forests, Ejaz Iqbal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Director Social Conservation and Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir were present on the occasion. |
