- Team of Top Officials tour vulnerable areas
DODA: The Conservator of Forest, Chenab Circle, Sandeep Kumar conducted an extensive two day tour to vulnerable beats and blocks of Chiralla and Bhallessa Ranges of Bhaderwah Forest Division. He was accompanied by DFO Bhaderwah Mohammad Ayub Khan, SFS and Deputy Director, FPF Mohinder Singh and more than sixty forest personnel.
The CF Chenab stressed upon the need for better coordination among field staff especially prevention of damage and forest fire . DFO Bhaderwah and Deputy Director, FPF were directed to initiate immediate deployment of the joint force of FPF and Forests in Wanipura and the Tanta area.
He directed the field staff to identify habitual offenders and initiate their arrest. The locals highlighted the issue of firewood for winters. A temporary depot was sanctioned by CF Chenab and established accordingly.
Further, the CF directed DFO Bhaderwah to formulate a proposal under Green India Mission(GIM) for intensive plantation of the degraded area. The alternate source of energy including solar heaters, solar lights etc, will be a part of Entry Point activity, he added.
He said that the Biodiversity Management Committee and Village Forest Committee will be activated in the area for forest protection. Awareness and education drive will be conducted jointly by Bhaderwah Forest Division, FPF and other Departments. Further, he directed the field officials of Forest and FPF for joint patrolling and establishing nakas in vulnerable forest areas.
He interacted and listened to genuine demands of the local people and PRIs of Tanta, Draman, Batogra, Kanoo, Wanipura, Bagdan and Chabba villages of Panchayat Tanta and Batogra and solicited their support in prevention of forest fires and forest damages.