KATHUA: Forest Division, Billawar today organised an Awareness Programme at the auditorium of Government Degree College, Billawar as a part of one Month long “Mission LiFE Campaign-2023”. The Awareness Programme comprised of a Debate competition on the theme of ‘Climate Change and Bio-diversity’ followed by an Awareness-cum-consultation workshop with the representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
The programme witnessed participation of over 300 people comprising DDC Nagrota Gujroo Narayan Dutt Tripathi, DDC Billawar Vikram Singh, DDC Mandli Neeru Bala, BDC Chairpersons Ashok Sharma; Reeta Devi & Nisha Devi, ADC Billawar Vinay Khosla, Vice Principal GDC Prof. Lekh Raj, Panches & Sarpanches of fire prone areas of Billawar and students and faculty members of various schools and colleges. Besides, Officers and Officials of various departments including Forest, Social Forestry, Forest Protection Force, Wild Life, Soil Conservation, Pollution Control Committee, Police, Revenue, Fire & Emergency Services, Rural Development.
Speaking on the occasion, DFO Billawar Vivek Modi, highlighted the theme of the Mission LiFE as envisioned by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi at COP 26 focussing to bring individual behaviours at the fore front of the global climate action narrative. He underlined that Mission LiFE inspires us to do all that can be done in our daily life to protect the environment and that the environment can be protected by making incremental changes in our lifestyle.
All the participants were encouraged to contribute in the campaign within their respective capacities by adopting simple changes in their lifestyle which will eventually have positive and long-lasting impact on the health of the environment. A ‘Lifestyle for the Environment’ Pledge by committing to consciously participate in taking up the environmental lifestyle and inculcating environment-friendly habits was also taken by all the participants during the event.
During the consultation workshop on Forest Fires Prevention & Control, the DDCs and BDC Chairpersons along with Sarpanches highlighted the need for conducting fire awareness workshops at the level of Gram Panchayats and augmenting the water sources like Ponds and Check Dams inside forest areas for prevention of forest fires. They also assured to extend all possible help to the field staff of forest department in the upcoming fire season by mobilizing the local villagers.
The programme ended with prize distribution among the participants of the debate competition. Sukriti Bhadwal of GDC Billawar secured 1st position in the competition whereas, Marigankshi Sharma of New Age Degree College Phinter and Akshita Verma of Billawar Public School secured 2nd and 3rd positions respectively. The whole programme was organized under the guidance of the Conservator of Forests, East Circle Jammu, the Chief Conservator of Forests Jammu and the Director, Department of Social Forestry J&K.