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| Govt firm to curb illicit timber trade: Altaf | | No new licenses for stone crushers, brick kilns near habitations | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Mar 17: Asserting that the government has effectively curbed illicit timber trade in chronic areas of Peer Panchal forest range particularly in Shopian and Rafiabad, Minister for Forests Mian Altaf today said there would be no compromise in conservation efforts. He reiterated that the drive against forest smuggling and encroachments would continue unabated saying violators would not be spared in any case.
Replying to debate on demand of grants for the departments under his charges for the next fiscal, the Minster said it is for the first time during about last two decades that the writ of government runs in worst illicit timber trade infested areas of Peer Panchal, Rafiabad and Shopian due to sustained anti forest smuggling drive. He said that measures have been initiated to effectively check forest smuggling which include checking squads and ban on inter district transportation of forest timber.
Altaf said it has been decided to promote import of timber to conserve forests adding that certain incentives are being provided to the timber traders for this purpose which include single point checking at Lakhanpur toll Plaza concession in VAT etc. “We shall have to go for import of timber, if we want to protect our forests”, Mian Altaf said adding that timber import has increased from 22 lakh Cft last year to 40 lakh cft this fiscal.
He said that forest nurseries have been established to produce traditional forest trees like Fur, Devdar trees on the entire stretch from international Airport Srinagar upto worlld famous Mughal Garden, Nishat Bagh. He said that a target to plant about 15 lakh trees through Social Forestry, Soil Conservation and Forest department has been fixed for the next fiscal against a target of 8 lakh plants last year.
Minister said that out of a target to supply 12 lakh cft of timber on confessional rates, 8 lakh cft has been distributed among the consumers this year so far. Despite long spell of unrest in the Valley, fire wood was provided to mosques in time, he said. In addition, State Forest Corporation also provides timber through auction, he added. He said functioning of SFC would be further improved.
He said that functioning wildlife department is being improved with focus to reduce human loss, man - animal conflicts, adding that all critical areas have been identified where human casualties are apprehended on this account. He said that Chief Minister takes meeting after every two months to review progress on forest land clearance cases to ensure execution of various development works.
Later, House passed demand of grants amounting to Rs 53879.32 lakhs for meeting the expenditure of Soil and Water Conservation, Forestry and Wildlife, Ecology & Environment and Scientific and Environmental research for the year 2011-12 by voice vote. Cut motions moved by several legislators were withdrawn after the Ministers convincingly replied to the debate to the satisfaction of one and all.
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