JAMMU: Minister for Forest, Environment & Ecology Choudhary Lal Singh today conducted extensive tour of Chenab valley and inspected the plantation work at Sheikhwan in Doda and planted conifer saplings there. He also held meetings with the officers of Forest Department Chenab Circle. The Minister was accompanied by PCCF J&K, A K Singh, Chairman SPCB Ravi Kesar, MD SFC S K Gupta, Director FPF Asif Mehmood, CCF Jammu Farooq Gillani, Director Soil and Water Conservation Javed Panjoo, Conservator Chenab Circle T B Singh and other senior officers of Forest and allied departments.
Later the Minister took a review meeting of all the departments in Bhaderwah and a plantation drive was also held at TRC Bhaderwah where Chinar and Deodar saplings were planted. Besides, the Minister also met number of public deputations regarding the issues related to their demands. On spot directions were issued to the officers to ensure timely supply of timber to the public.
The officers were directed to ensure protection of forests and take steps for prevention of forest fires in the area. They were directed to hold awareness camps especially in vulnerable areas to seek the cooperation of people in preventing forest fires. The Minister also stressed for removing of encroachment in the forest area and directed to ensure that no fresh encroachment takes place.