Conservator of Forests (CoF) Kashmir South Forest Circle Irfan Ali Shah, reviewed the implementation of Green India Mission in Shopian and Kulgam Forest Districts on Monday.
During the meeting, physical and financial progress made till now under the mission was reviewed in detail.
He informed that Green India Mission (GIM) is one of the eight missions under National Action Plan on Climate Change aiming at protecting, restoring and enhancing India’s forest cover in response to India’s action on climate change.
The target under the Mission is 10 m ha on forest and non-forest lands and to improve the quality of existing forests. He further said that “the focus is on galvanizing peoples support and movement especially scheduled tribes and women belonging to forest fringe communities as envisaged in Forest Rights Act-2006 and National Forest Policy ,1988,” he said.
It was informed during the meeting that under this mission, 161 hectares of Forest area will be eco-restored in Shopian & Kulgam Districts and 83000 number of plants are being planted during the current financial year.Further, 33 hectares of grasslands will be eco-restored and the fodder generated will be distributed free of cost among forest dwellers and tribal communities.
The CoF informed that various support activities shall be taken up under Green India Mission in District Shopian & Kulgam for livelihood augmentation of the rural households which includes free distribution of apiculture kits, , free distribution of smart stoves (smokeless chulhas), solar lights with plates, hand pulled trolly etc. The CoF further directed forest officers to interlink the One District One Product programme. He said already two vermicompost units have been set up at Devpora and Zampathri which are helping in income augmentation of local forest fringe community members.
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The meeting among others was attended by Syed Wasim Gull ,Divisional Forest Officer, Kulgam Forest Division,Mohammad Ayub Sheikh, Divisional Forest Officer, Shopian Forest Division,Arooq Ahmad Shah Range Officer D.H. Pora,Suhail Ahmad Wani Range Officer Kulgam, Peerzada Riyaz Ahmad ,Range Officer Veshaw, Gh. Nabi Chohan, Range Officer Romshi,Fayaz Ahmad Mir,Range Officer Shopian,Mukhtar Ahmad Malik, Range Officer, S.C. Range Shopian.Besides above officers, the concerned dealing staff was also present in the meeting.
