SRINAGAR: In order to conserve the biological diversity for environmental security and economic prosperity of the people of J&K, the J&K Forest Department has initiated various measures across the UT of J&K to protect the natural ecosystem like Forest, Wetlands, Alpine pastures, etc.
This was stated by Roshan Jaggi, PCCF- HoFF and Chairman J&K Biodiversity Council while addressing a gathering of different stakeholders viz. frontline staff of Forest, Wildlife and other wings, students from different colleges and schools, representatives of NGOs, Scholars and faculty members of SKUAST- Kashmir and local people.
The programme was organized at world famous Dachigam National Park, famous for the Kashmir Stag (Hangul) which is found exclusively in this endemic area. The PCCF said the Department has involved PRIs, ULBs, local people, students, Army and Para military forces besides other sections of the civil society in Green J&K Drive.
He informed that 180 lakh plants were planted inside the forest as well as on vacant lands during last financial year. Department has constituted Biodiversity Management Committees Panchayat-wise to conserve medicinal plants, protect forests, promote afforestation activities, and conserve the water resources like wetlands, he added.
Campaigns like ‘Plastic Free Forest’, ‘Paid Lagao Beti Ke Naam’, ‘Van Se Jal, Jal Se Jeewn’ and ‘Mission Life’ have been taken up across all districts of UT of J&K to protect the natural resources, conserve water bodies and create awareness on issues of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. Efforts have yielded the results in the form of increase in ToF, and has also increased the participation of people in nature based tourism.
The emphasis of the Department is to empower the local communities to create forest based livelihoods and ensure peoples participation in management of the forests, the PCCF said. It is worth mentioning here that J&K has forest cover over 54% of the geographical area with 42 types of forests which is highest in the country.