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Written by: JK Monitor News Network

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 08 June 2023

SHOPIAN: Conservator of Forests (CoF), South Kashmir Irfan Ali Shah along with Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shopian, Fazlul Haseeb today reviewed the functioning of Forest Department in Shopian Forest Division.  The CoF distributed Apiculture Units amongst Self Help Groups of Shopian as part of ongoing efforts of the Forest Department to augment and support livelihoods for forest fringe communities.

In a review meeting with senior officers of the department, he laid stress on making progress on all approved deliverables of the Forest Department for the current year. He stressed on development of water bodies under Mission Amrit Sarovars inside forests and directed for maintaining these water-bodies for the benefit of people, wildlife and forests.

He emphasized on institutionalizing and adapting of “Van se Jal aur Jal se Jeevan” concepts. He also reviewed progress made on forest clearances for Jal Jeevan Mission schemes. It was informed that 24 such cases are under process of approval with the competent authority. The CoF also reviewed progress made on Forest Rights Act (FRA) cases in District Shopian. It was informed that 112 individual titles and 367 community titles have been given in District Shopian with more than 500 beneficiaries.

The CoF directed for identifying and development of new trekking routes as a part of "Youth Connect program in District Shopian" for nature lovers, college and school students and hikers. He further directed for identification of suitable sites for construction of new Forest Rest houses and Forest Interpretation Centres for local people as well as tourists and stressed on facilitating online bookings through awareness programs for promotion of eco-tourism in District Shopian

He also directed the organizing of Eco-Tourism festivals in collaboration with the District Administration for promoting sustainable Eco-Tourism activities. The CoF directed for destruction of all wild and cultivated Bhang in and around forest areas and forest assets. He directed for accelerating efforts under "Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan", so that drug free Shopian is ensured and youth are kept away from menace of drug abuse.

Divisional Forest Officer  Shopian Mohammad Ayoub Sheikh, Deputy Director Forest Protection Force (FPF) Muneer Ahmad, Wildlife Warden Shopian Intisar Suhail, all Range Forest officers, Assistant Directors FPF  and other forest officials, media, PRIs of Shopian attended this outreach program and accompanied the CoF during his tour.