Baramulla Decenber 10:(KNS) Dr. Mohit Gera Principal Chief Conservator of Forests today visited several places in district Baramulla to review implementation of various ongoing forest development activities. He was accompanied by Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir, T. Rabi Kumar, Conservator of Forests North Circle, Irfan Rasool, DFO Baramulla, DFO Langate and concerned Dy Directors of Forest Protection Force.
According to a statemnent issued to Kahmir News Service, (KNS), reads, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests visited Compartment 19/B of Kandi Nowgam site where he planted deodar saplings and rolled out winter planting programme in north Kashmir under Green J&K Drive scheme. He was informed that eight lakh plants shall be planted in north Kashmir during the current financial year under Green J&K Drive. He directed officials to take immediate steps to complete plantation targets. He adviced them to frame robust annual plans under CAMPA scheme to complete rehabilitation of degraded forests in phased and time bound manner.
Later, he visited village Laridoora, where he distributed seed balls and fruit plants among villagers. He interacted with locals and requested them to fervently participate in J&K Govt.'s ambitious "Har Goan Haryali Programme" to increase green cover of villages. He spelled out objectives of "Har Goan Haryali Programme" is to meet local needs of villages for fodder and fuelwood. He conveyed that J & K Government has opened up forest huts in various forest divisions and has developed trekking routes to boost ecotourism and promote local livelihood. He said more huts and trekking routes shall be developed in future.
PCCF also visited Medicinal Plants Resource Centre located in Khamoh Rafiabad developed by Langate Forest Division. He was informed that 45 medicinal plant species have been raised in the said centre to promote conservation and regeneration of endangered medicinal plant species. He adviced concerned field functionaries to extend area of operation of medicinal plant centre and involve local people in production and marketing.(KNS)