The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of the Forest Force, Jammu and Kashmir, Roshan Jaggi, inspected Lidder and Awantipora Forest Divisions and reviewed working of the Forest Department there. He also reviewed the ongoing developmental works being executed in these Forest Divisions.
He informed that under flagship Green J&K Drive programme, the plantation target of 1.75 crores will be achieved this year in J&K. He said planting target of 15 lacs has been set up for this year for South Forest Circle. The PCCF stressed on Chinar planting and low-cost greening initiatives. The PCCF informed that South Forest Circle achieved plantation target of 14.00 lacs last year.He directed for greening initiatives to be accelerated for rehabilitation of degraded forests here. He directed for greening of all barren slopes in all forest divisions of South Forest Circle through suitable forestry interventions.
During the tour,PCCF inspected various ongoing development works in both the divisions including Shade Net Structure for Pampore Nursery. He also laid foundation stones of Block officers hut at Gossanard Pampore, New Forest Control Room building at Awantipora and of New Range office building in Bijbehara. The newly renovated range office Pampore was also thrown open to public services by the PCCF. An information brochure on forest fire management in Awantipora Division was also released on the occasion.
PCCF visited Central forest nursery, Bijbehara where he gave directions for effective nursery management, increasing medicinal plant cultivation, biodiversity conservation by involving local people. He directed that nursery management works should target locals to generate livelihood for them. PCCF also directed for quality plant production on scientific lines and improvement of nursery based infrastructure as well. He also directed for quality seed collection from plus tree and utilisation of same for new nursery raisings.
During the inspection the PCCF & HoFF,J&K was accompanied by Conservator of Forests South Forest Circle Irfan Ali Shah, Divisional Forest Officer Awantipora Forest Division Waseem Farooq Mir, Divisional Forest officer Lidder Forest Division Sheikh Mehraj, DFO Anantnag Mohammad Ramzaan, District level officers of Forest Protection Force, Range Forest officers and other Forest officials.
