Srinagar March 25:(KNS) The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), Jammu and Kashmir Dr. Mohit Gera, IFS along with APCCF Kashmir Sh. T. Rabi Kumar, IFS did inspection of Pampore Forest Range of Awantipora Forest Division. He was accompanied by Conservator of Forests, Kashmir South Circle,Sh. Irfan Ali Shah, IFS, DFO Lidder Forest Division Dr. Mehraj & Deputy Director FPF Dr. Mumtaz and other Forest officials. The PCCF (HoFF) threw open a trek route in biodiversity rich Gossain nad Forest which is a 4 km trek with final destination as Wustervan point from where there is visible a 360 degree view of Kashmir valley. Later, a trekking expedition of local trekking groups was also flagged off. A Char-Deodar point was also thrown open to the public where in a small trek rest place has been developed by Forest Department. Four Deodar plant saplings were planted there.
Later PCCF (HoFF) visited India International Kashmir Saffron Trade Center at Pampore where an institutional plantation program was carried out. On this occasion free distribution of Conifer saplings among public was also done.
In the evening, a forest awareness programme was organised in the jam packed conference Hall Of the Institute in which scientists, poets, lawyers,saffron growers,local panchayat members spoke on the importance of forests.
Dr Mohit Gera,IFS PCCF (HoFF), J&K spoke about efforts made by the Department in J&K for Afforestation and Rehabilitation of degraded forests . He said the Government has initiated Green J&K Drive program to increase the green cover and against the planting target of 1.30 crore this year , about 1.10 crore saplings have been planted in J&K till now .He talked about strengthening of Forest protection and accelerating efforts for biodiversity conservation. He said new trek routes are being identified in J&K and out of 75 identified Trek routes,60 have been opened till now .He informed that out of 18 trek routes, 09 have been thrown open till now for trekkers and nature lovers in South Kashmir.He said forests are source of livelihoods and there are strong linkages between forest and agricultural development.
He said the Government has initiated innovative Greening programs like Har Gaon Haryali and One Village One Beat Guard program.He spoke at length about success of these Government initiatives in J&K.He informed that free Conifer and poplar mawas have been distributed free among public and other stakeholders for planting in South Kashmir and people have hailed these efforts of the Department.He complimented the efforts of Conservator of Forests South Circle and DFO Lidder for mobilizing massive public support for implementation of forestry programs in South Kashmir.
Sh T Rabi Kumar,IFS APCCF Kashmir in his address stressed that public support and participation is must for the success of Forestry programmes.He said this year we are planting 130 Crore saplings to commemorate the completion of 130 years of existence of J&K Forest Department.
Sh. Nadeem Qadri, Environmental Lawyer also spoke on the occasion and thanked the forest department for supporting all Greening project in Pampore Range. He thanked the CF South for guiding and supporting youth of Pampore for forest and wildlife Conservation.
Environment poet Mr Muqlis read out poetry on forest conservation.Dr. Majid Ali,Senior Scientist, IIKSTC, Pampore also spoke on the occasion.
Dr Khurshid,Scientist delivered the welcome address.
The entire program was conducted successfully by Irfan Ali Shah, IFS CF South who thanked the Pr.CCF(HoFF), J&K and APCCF Kashmir for their visit to South Circle and for supporting fully the forest development programs and initiatives in South Kashmir.
The other participants included Scientists from IISTC Pampore Dr Khurshid, Dr. Majid Ali, Dr Muzammil, etc. Members,Trekkers from saffron Trekking Club,Pampore Eco-development Society, NGOs, poets, lawyers, religious preachers, members from Gujjar and Bakkarwal communities,panchayat members etc. students and teachers from Government Degree College Pampore. (KNS)