Anantnag March 04:(KNS) A review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Conservator of Forests Irfan Ali Shah, IFS at Forest Complex , Bijbehara in which progress of ongoing developmental works, especially the progress on achieving planting targets in Kashmir South Circle was discussed.The targets and achievements made so far under the flagship Green J&K Drive programme of the Department was also reviewed. The Conservator of Forests directed the DFOs to implement programs and schemes like Har Gaon Haryali, One Beat Guard One Village Programme by involving the locals as well as representatives of grass root level Panchayati Raj Institutions.
The DFOs were directed for dedicatedly pursuing the development of the Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for major towns in South Kashmir.Under the Green India Mission, which is being implemented in the Union Territory for the first time, the Conservator stressed on treating degraded forest landscapes and at the same time generating employment for locals through these programs. He said alternate fuel energy shall be provided to forest fringe communities under this mission.
It was informed during the meeting that under the MGNREGA convergence scheme, more than 5000 number of mandays have been generated in South Kashmir till now during the current fiscal,which has helped in providing of livelihoods to locals.The Conservator of Forests stressed for generating livelihoods for youth and for income generation through various integrated forestry interventions in South Kashmir.
The Conservator of Forests directed for opening of all identified Trek routes at the earliest so that local people get benefitted and develop a new connect with the forests.He also directed DFOs to organise skill development and Training camps for local youth as Trek guides,which will generate employment for them.
The Conservator of Forests also directed for opening of all Forest Huts for local people as well as tourists and stressed on facilitating online bookings through awareness programs for promotion of Ecotourism in South Kashmir.
He said wetlands and other water bodies including natural ponds in forests are integrated part of our forests and stressed on maintaining these ponds for the benefit of people and forests.He emphasized on institutionalising and adapting of "Van se Jal aur Jal se Jeevan" concepts.
He also reviewed the implementation of Forest Rights Act and directed all the DFOs to ensure the benefits of FRA and other Govt schemes should reach without hassles to the concerned local Gujjar and Bakerwal and other tribal communities. He impressed upon formation of Self Help Groups amongst tribal communities for strengthening their livelihoods.
During the meeting the DFOs were directed to upscale patrolling and Jungle Ghast operations in collaboration with Forest Protection Force and maintain high vigil especially in vulnerable forest pockets all over South Kashmir. It was emphasized that zero tolerance to any sort of encroachment shall be adapted and a mechanism for retrieval of encroached forest land on fast track basis shall be adapted.
The Conservator directed for the creation of fire lines, water sources, tool & equipment, joint control rooms, awareness creation, and mock drills for addressing issues of forest fires in South Kashmir .
He also laid stressed on conducting of "Forest Darbaars"for redressing greviances of forest frontline staff and resolution of their all outstanding issues including seniority fixation of Class IV employees, DPCs, vigilance clearances, suspension cases etc He also directed for speedy disposal of all complaints and greviances of people.(KNS)