- Eco-friendly move aimed at promotion of tourism, eco-tourism activities
JAMMU: Advisor to Governor, K Vijay Kumar today stressed on framing an effective action plan focusing on further strengthening and improving the overall functioning of Forest department and its allied wings. He was speaking at a specially organized interaction session with forest department functionaries here at Mansar. The session was attended by Commissioner Secretary Forests Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Director Soil & Water Conservation P K Singh, Director Ecology, Environment & Remote Sensing B Sidhartha Kumar, Additional PCF Sarvesh Rai, CCF Eco-Tourism J Frankoi, Director Finance Forests R S Bali, Regional Director PCB Shally Ranjan, Regional Director Social Forestry Jammu M K Kumar, Conservator East B. Mohan Dass, Conservator West Jitendra Kumar, Regional Wildlife Warden Tahir Shawl, DFO’s of Jammu Division and other officers of the department.
The Advisor said that the main objective of this session was to have one to one interaction with the field functionaries, who are responsible for implementing every plan on the ground and to listen to the issues/problems they are facing so that the same are discussed and redressed properly. “The focus is to capture the good ideas coming from the officers and to incorporate them in improving the working of the department”, the Advisor said.
Several suggestions/inputs were provided by the officers participating in the session department wise which were thoroughly discussed and noted for inclusion in the future action plan. The issues highlighted by the officials including shortage of staff, lack of logistics support for the field officers/staff, issues related to revenue department, rationalization of staff, overlapping of functions, steps to remove stagnation, clearance of DPC cases, service related issues and others were thoroughly discussed.
The participants were also asked to provide inputs on how to effectively utilize the available human resource to achieve positive results. Stress was laid on capacity building of the employees and was decided that officers and other staff must attend the prescribed training programmes to update their knowledge and skill. Besides, special training programmes being held outside the state should also be attended by the officers as per the recommendations of their heads.
To further give push to the eco-tourism activities in the state, CCF Eco-Tourism was directed to conduct visit to the state of Uttrakhand to study the model of Eco-Tourism there so that the best practices can also be adopted here for its promotion. With regard to the department’s plan to safeguard the Mansar Lake, one of the largest freshwater lake in the region, the meeting had detailed discussion on all the aspects of its conservation and management plan having focused attention on preservation of various species of fish that are being destroyed due to the presence of Carp Fish in the water body and its predatory habits.
It was informed that Carp fish have been destroying the other species and they cannot be taken out from the body as there are religious sentiments linked to it. The Advisor said that keeping in mind the religious beliefs of the people and by making them aware of the situation, steps would be taken to address the issue. He directed the Wildlife Protection department for conducting census of the Turtles that are found in Mansar Lake and also to study their feeding and nesting pattern so that some strong measures can be taken for the conservation of this endangered species.
Discussion was also held on water quality of Mansar Lake and steps need to be taken to have effective sewerage treatment plan in place to stop the polluted water entering into the water body. The officers of State Pollution Control Board were asked to take necessary steps in this regard and to enforce strict ban on use of polythene at the tourist spot. The Advisor asked Forest, SMDA and Tourism Department to collectively work towards ensuring clean and green environment at the tourist spot and to promote eco-tourism activities in the area.
Advisor to Governor, K Vijay Kumar also launched the battery operated car here at Mansar Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the Shivaliks. The Eco-friendly service has been introduced by the State Wildlife Protection Department as part of its eco-tourism promotion campaign and ensuring a healthy environment at the famous tourist place of the state. The battery car service is expected to increase foot fall at the lake surrounded by lush green forests.
The department has procured three battery operated cars for the tourists to enjoy the ride around the lake and keep a check on carbon footprints. Commissioner Secretary Forests Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Additional PCF Sarvesh Rai, CEO SMDA Nagender Singh Jamwal, other senior officers of Forest department and its allied wings were present on the occasion.
Being the most visited tourist place in Jammu region, the service would surely attract the tourists and allow them to take a full round of the lake which is otherwise very difficult because of its long distance. After launching the battery operated vehicles, the Advisor along with Commissioner Secretary Forests took a ride around the Manasar Lake. The Advisor was briefed about the related activities that the department of Forests is planning to undertake for promotion of eco-tourism in the area.
He was informed that the tourists coming to the place would be benefitted from this facility as they can enjoy the ride along the lake on these vehicles which emanates zero level noise and carbon emission. While interacting with the officers, the Advisor asked Wildlife Protection Department and SMDA to work in coordination to ensure clean environment around the lake area and make tourists aware of this facility. The initiative would surely go a long way in boosting the tourism at this important tourist destination in Jammu division, he said.
Later, the Advisor also visited the office of Range Officer, Wildlife Protection Department where he was shown the wildlife articles which are in possession of the department. The articles include antler of Chital, skull of monkey, eggs of Emu & Pea Hen, fetus of leopard cat & Hog deer etc. While interacting with the officers, Vijay Kumar sought details of the wildlife species that are found in the area and steps that the Wildlife Protection Force has taken for their protection and conservation. On the occasion, live demonstration was also given about the use of tranquillizer gun also called as capture or dart gun. It is a non-lethal air gun used for incapacitating animal targets via drugs.