J&K Forest and J&K Police Department organized massive public outreach programme in Kund valley Kulgam falling under jurisdiction of Anantnag Forest Division.The Programme witnessed participation of Deputy Inspector General of Police South Kashmir, Mr Rayees Ahmad Bhat, IPS who was the Chief Guest on the occasion and Conservator of Forests, South Forest Circle Irfan Ali Shah, IFS.

The Conservator of Forests in his address to a mammoth gathering of more than 3000 local people from 30 villages informed that the Forest Department has accelerated it’s efforts for both Greening of degraded forest areas as well as providing and strengthening of livelihoods for both forest fringe inhabitants as well as local educated youth. He said during the current year about 16 lakh planting target is there in South Kashmir. This includes planting of saplings under different schemes like CAMPA,CAPEX etc.He informed that under Har Gaon Haryali each village is being covered for greening of areas outside forest areas and for making our villages more green.Under One Beat Guard One Village program,thousands of plants have been planted in South Kashmir.

He also directed the concerned Range officer for preparing immediately a project within two weeks for Greening of all religious places including Shrines, Gurdwaras,Temples etc in Kund valley which could be taken up during this year so that locals get benefitted both spiritually as well as by clean environment when they visit shrines and temples. While appreciating the beauty of Kund valley he called it miniature paradise on the lap of Pir Panjal mountains and directed the DFO concerned to start work on identifying of suitable site for construction of Forest Rest House ,so that Kund Valley comes on Ecotourism map of J&K. He also directed for completion of construction of new Block Forest Office so that there is speedy redressal of forest related public greviances in Kund only and people may not need to travel large distance for their greviances redressal.

He also directed for maintenance of all water bodies especially inside forest areas including the famed Visarnaag area.

He said that a large number of Trek routes have been opened in South Kashmir and many will be opened next month end with the melting of snow in higher reaches. He directed the forest officials to immediately start work on opening of new 10 km long trek route from Ziyarat Shared Kund to Waltengo Nad area and to collaborate with local trekking and hiking groups for organizing trekking programs for youth and potential visitors in Kund valley.

He said that under Green Skill Development Program (GSDP) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the local youth of Kund will be given training as Trek guides and Ecotourism managers. He directed for exploring Home Stay program implementation so as to give boost to Ecotourism in Kund valley and generate employment opportunities.

DIG South Kashmir in his address, who was also the Chief Guest on the occasion, said and impressed upon young boys and girls who had come in large numbers to attend this program, to say no to plastics, polythene and drugs and say yes to forests and health. He also talked about Drug De-addiction programs.He said he is closely associated with Kund valley and is like his second home only.

Others who addressed the gathering included Shri Imtyaz Ahmad Lone, Soil and water Conservation, Kashmir,Mohd Ramzaan Mir,DFO Anantnag Forest Division, who in their addresses thanked the DIG South Kashmir and Conservator of Forests for his vision for development of Kund Valley and for giving directions for creation of livelihood and employment opportunities for youth and raising importance of drug de-addiction programmes. The local Tribal leaders thanked the DIG South Kashmir and Conservator of Forests for listening to their grievances and giving on the spot directions for their fast redressal. Tribal leaders, Sarpanches, BDO and local SHO also spoke on the occasion.

Other Officers who participated in the programme, included Shri Sahil Sarangal, SSP Kulgam Shri Shabir Ahmad, SP Traffic Kund Shri Rajesh Kumar, Dy SP, Kulgam.

The program was also attended by all Local leaders from Gujjar and Bakerwal communities,DFOs,Range officers and other officials of J& K Forest Department, Sarpanches and panchs from fifteen panchayats of the area, Tehsildaar,Block Development Officer,officers and officials from J&K Police Department, J&K Police Department, Officials from J&K Bank, Cooperative bank,Post office,religious leaders and preachers,students from all local schools,members from different NGOs working for Environmental and Social cause and Backward area trust Kund.