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Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 09 January 2020

• Passing out Ceremony for Foresters, Forest Guards held

JAMMU: A Passing out Ceremony of Foresters and Forest Guards of Soil Conservation Training School Miran Sahib Jammu and Forest Guard Training School Doomi, Akhnoor was today held, here at the Convention Center. In all, 158 trainees have passed out after successfully completing their entry level training course.

Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam was the Chief Guest and the Commissioner Secretary, Forests, Environment and Ecology Department Sarita Chauhan was the Guest of Honour at the ceremony. The Passing out Ceremony started with the presentation of ceremonial Guard of Honour to the Chief Guest by the personnel of Forest Protection Force.

Addressing the passing out trainees, the Chief Secretary congratulated them on successful completion of their training. Chief Secretary emphasized on sustainable development and management of Forests for future generations. He appreciated the department for recording increase of forest cover in Jammu and Kashmir, recently reported by the Govt. of India.

Chief Secretary impressed upon the frontline officers to strive for conservation and management of Forests by planning and management of non-timber forest products, firewood, fodder and increasing tree cover outside forests.  Underlining the role of frontline staff and officers for the protection of Wildlife, he said “everyone’s effort is required as coordinated and integrated approach can only make a difference.”

Chief Secretary appreciated that the CAMPA works are now being carried out in a scientific manner, which is evident from the increasing forest cover. He also hailed the achievements of on-going Green J&K Drive and advised to make it an annual feature with involvement of all the departments. During his address, Chief Secretary acknowledged the challenges faced by the field staff of the forest department while performing their duties and also talked about the adverse impact of changing climate on all the sectors of economy, including forests.

Commissioner Secretary, Sarita Chauhan, in her address, highlighted the multifunctional role of forests for soil and water conservation as well as for environment protection. She discussed the important role of frontline staff in meeting the objectives of J&K Forest Policy and stressed upon improving the curriculum and faculty structure for effective training. This would prepare the frontline staff to face  new challenges in forest sector, she maintained.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests J&K, Dr. Mohit Gera emphasized on strengthening and upgrading the Forestry Training Schools with modern infrastructure and use of advanced technologies as teaching aids. Earlier, The Chief Conservator of Forests, T. Rabi Kumar, delivered   welcome address.

Conservator of Forests, Working Plan Circle, Irfan Ali Shah, presented the course report and declared the results of four batches of Foresters and Forest Guards trainees of Soil Conservation Training School Miran Sahib Jammu and Forest Guard Training School Doomi, Akhnoor. After the passing out ceremony, outstanding Foresters and Forest Guard Trainees were conferred with prizes and awards for their   excellent performance in academics and extracurricular activities.

The event also witnessed ceremonial planting of a sapling in the premises of the Convention centre and release of revised Forest Guard Book by the Chief Guest. Chief Conservator of Forests, Dr. Sandeep Kujur, presented vote of thanks. Among others, the function was attended by the Heads of Departments, Senior Officers of various wings of Forest Departments and Trainees.