Srinagar, Dec 22 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department has constituted a committee of field officials to conduct an immediate on-spot inspection following the circulation of a viral video alleging fresh damage to forest areas near the Dhanwas Drung–Manzwas area of Tangmarg.
According to an official order issued by the Special Forest Division, Tangmarg, the committee has been tasked with verifying the authenticity of the visuals circulated on social media and ascertaining the actual position on the ground.
The inspection team will be headed by Altaf Ahmad Khan, Forester, who has been designated as the Party Head with the team of field staff from the division, including forest guards posted in the concerned area .
As per the order, the team has been directed to proceed to the reported site without delay and conduct a thorough reconnaissance of the entire area where forest damage is suspected to have occurred. The inspection will include identification and enumeration of all freshly damaged trees, along with species-wise classification.
The team has also been instructed to physically verify tree stumps and apply hammer marks on each identified stump to prevent future manipulation or dispute.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelA detailed inventory of damaged material, including approximate dimensions, is also to be prepared.
The order further directs the committee to assess accessibility to the area and look for indications of tool usage, extraction routes or the possible involvement of external elements, if any. Where necessary, basic statements from locals present on the spot may also be recorded strictly for factual verification purposes .
The inspection party has been asked to submit a factual, signed report within one day for onward submission to the competent authority, it said, adding that he report must compulsorily include a narrative of findings, geo-tagged photographs of the damage, mapped coordinates of affected locations and brief recommendations regarding further action
For real-time coordination and tracking during the inspection exercise, the exact location and details of the reported forest damage are to be shared with the Party Head through official communication channels, the order states.
The Divisional Forest Officer, Special Forest Division, Tangmarg, has directed the Party Head to ensure proper supervision, consolidation of inputs and timely submission of the inspection report.(KNS)