KATHUA : Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Ch Lal Singh , today stressed upon the officers of Forest department to  fulfill their  duty with a missionary zeal for protecting the  forests cover by proper demarcation and fencing to curb encroachments of  forest land. The Minister said this while  addressing a public grievances redressal camp at Kathua.Â
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Minister directed the DFOs to personally monitor the fencing of forest land to  check  encroachment .He stressed on the need to generate mass awareness regarding the measures for safeguarding  the forest wealth,  prevent illicit felling of trees and  avoid spreading of denuded forests in the state.  Ch Lal Singh said that forests contribute in maintaining the climate and conserving bio-diversity thereby helping in maintaining the quality of life. He further focused on the departmentâs role to ensure that the government nurseries have wide variety of fruits and ornamental plants for people.
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The minister reiterated the commitment of the government  to plant  trees along the National Highway  from Lakhanpur to Jammu  adding that massive plantation drive will be carried  in the ensuing monsoon season that will act as an effective mechanism to recharge the natural water bodies for conserving the forests and maintaining the ground water level. He also  asked industrialists to install pollution control devices in their industrial units to minimize the pollution and plant at least 1000 plants in and around their industrial units to minimize damages caused by the industries to the environment.
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The minister directed the officers to remain vigilant to prevent the incidents of forest fire. Managing Director State Forest Corporation Arun Tikoo, Chief Conservator of forest, Roshan Jaggi , Conservator of Forests B M Sharma besides Divisional Forest Officers of Social Forestry, Soil Conservation, Forests, Wild Life and officers of PHE, PDD, R&B, RDD of Kathua district were present in the Camp.