SRINAGAR: The Conservator of Forests, South Forest Circle, Irfan Ali Shah reviewed functioning of Forest Department in Awantipora Forest Division in deliverance of Government work and the targets set for the current financial year.
The CoF interacted at length with the Forest officers and frontline staff, on various deliverables, schemes and programs in forestry sector including Green J&K Drive, Har Gaon Hariyali, Forests for recreation, fodder, livelihood, development of eco-tourism etc and directed the forest officials for work with full dedication and commitment for conservation and protection of Forests, wildlife and biodiversity through the people-centric approach of the department.
The CoF informed that Awantipora Forest Division is having planting target of about 3.46 lacs plants under all schemes including patch sowing, dibbles, Chinar Plantation besides, 5.50 lac seed balls will be prepared under Low Cost Greening programme to ensure enhanced green cover of Awantipora, Tral and others areas of Awantipora Forest Division through participatory mode.
The CoF directed the DFO Awantipora and the Range Officers to ensure that the process of e-tendering of all approved works under CAMPA and CAPEX Budget must be completed within next 15 days with main thrust on installation of Boundary Pillars to secure the unfenced forest areas so as to avoid encroachment of forest land.
Regarding development of Eco-tourism in Awantipora Forest Division, the CoF said several trek routes have been developed and opened in Awantipora Forest Division with various amenities like sinages, resting places, development of trek etc for natural lovers to connect the people with forests.
The CoF said that different Forest Divisions of South Forest Circle have been organizing collaborative trekking programmes in collaboration with environment groups, NGOs, Civil Society groups, Adventure groups which has been a success and has united people in South Kashmir for pro-planet and pro-environment actions.
During the review, Waseem Farooq Mir, DFO Awantipora, Jawan Bakhtiyar RO Awantipora, Azad Hussain Reshi RO Kakapora, Ishfaq Hussain Wudoo RO Pampore, Javid Ahmad Malik RO Tral and other officials and forest frontline staff were present.