Srinagar October 25 (KNS): Conservator of Forests, South Kashmir Irfan Ali Shah today reviewed functioning of Forest Department in District Pulwama. He laid stress on making progress on all approved deliverables for the Forest Department for the current year. He stressed on development of water bodies under Mission Amrit Sarovars inside forests and directed for maintaining these water-bodies for the benefit of people, wildlife and forests. He emphasized on institutionalizing and adapting of “Van se Jal aur Jal se Jeevan” concepts. Range officers were directed to identify new sites for creation of water bodies inside forest areas especially in fire prone forests and in forests with good Ecotourism potential.
The deliverable under theme “Qabza Mukht Janglaat” was also discussed. CF directed for taking immediate necessary steps for retrieval of all encroached Forest land in District Pulwama including in Anderwalli, Keller, Romshi ,Sangerwani forests in a time bound manner and booking of encroachers under the provisions of Indian Forest Act. He also directed for consolidating forest land boundary by installing Boundary pillars in each forest of District Pulwama. Range officers were directed to submit Boundary pillar installation plans immediately.
The Conservator of Forests also directed for identifying and development of new trekking routes as a part of Youth Connect program in District Pulwama for nature lovers, college and school students and hikers including Namblan, Keller, Sangerwani, Musamarg Forests. He further directed for identification of suitable sites for construction of new Forest Rest houses and Forest Interpretation Centres for local people as well as tourists and stressed on facilitating online bookings through awareness programs for promotion of sustainable Eco-tourism in District Pulwama. He also directed for organizing of Eco-Tourism festival in collaboration with District Administration Pulwama for promoting sustainable Eco-Tourism activities. He directed for initiating medical cum pilgrim based EcoTourism activities connecting hot spring baths with Sufi Dargahs. CoF also directed for accelerating steps being taken in District Pulwama for Polythene and Plastic free forests, so that "Clean and Green Pulwama becomes a reality. He directed for development of Eco-parks and Nagar Vans near Awantipora and Pulwama towns for boosting local Ecotourism activities.
He also directed for Registration of local youth as Van Mitras or Friends of Forest. He said Young boys and Girls of Pulwama have excelled in every sphere of life. We want them to grow as Environment Conscious and healthy citizens of the country.
Shah also reviewed Forest Protection in District Pulwama and stressed on protection of forests and dealing with habitual forest damagers/timber smugglers with iron hand. The Officers were directed to maintain proper coordination to deal with the protection scenario especially in the remote areas of Sangerwani, Keller so as to ensure zero tolerance towards illicit forest damages.
He also directed for destruction of all wild and cultivated Bhang in and around forest areas and forest assets especially in Kakapora area of Pulwama. He directed for accelerating efforts under & Nasha Mukht Bharat Abhiyaan", so that drugs free Pulwama is ensured and youth are kept away from menace of drug abuse.
Shah also directed for organizing an Outreach programme on creating of Forest based livelihoods especially for womenfolk in District Pulwama, in consultation with the District Administration Pulwama as well as experts and officers from National Rural Livelihoods Mission. He said alternate fuel energy and livelihoods support kits shall be provided to forest fringe communities especially Tribal communities in District Pulwama under this mission. He also directed for initiating Forest based livelihood support programme to address poverty related issues of Tribal and local communities.
CF also reviewed Firewood supply position in District Pulwama. He said J&K Forest Department is committed to Firewood supply and distribution to the registered agencies, religious and Government Institutions of District Pulwama and the same shall be completed well in time particularly to tide over upcoming winter .Shah also directed for development of Biodiversity Conservation and Eco-recreation Park to give boost to Tourism sector in District Pulwama and also as a part of forest based recreation and biodiversity conservation initiative. He directed for exploring prospectus of this work in other Tehsils and areas of the District.
CoF also directed for submitting proposals for Greening of all barren forest slopes through different Agrostological and Bamboo based interventions in District Pulwama especially for Southern slopes which will also help generate local employment as well and will lead to creation of new oxygen banks and Green spaces in District Pulwama.
The meeting was attended by Mohd Ayoub Sheikh, DFO Shopian, Yasir Amin, Range Forest officer, Ghulam Nabi, Range officer Romshi Pulwama, Fayaz Ahmad, Range officer Shopian and other Senior forest Officers of the Department.(KNS)