SRINAGAR: Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of the Forest Force, J&K, Roshan Jaggi today inspected Lidder and Anantnag Forest Divisions and reviewed working of the Forest Department there. He also reviewed the ongoing developmental works being executed in these Forest Divisions. The PCCF informed that under flagship Green J&K Drive programme, plantation target of 1.44 crores will be achieved this year in J&K. He said planting target of 15 lacs has been set up for this year for South Forest Circle.
The PCCF stressed on Chinar planting and low-cost greening initiatives. He informed that South Forest Circle achieved plantation target of 14.50 lacs last year. He directed for greening initiatives to be accelerated for rehabilitation of degraded forests here. He also directed for greening of all barren slopes in all forest divisions of South Forest Circle through suitable forestry interventions.
PCCF visited Nagdandi forest nursery where he gave directions for effective nursery management, increasing medicinal plant cultivation, biodiversity conservation by involving local people. He directed that nursery management works should target locals to generate livelihood for them.
PCCF also directed for quality plant production on scientific lines and improvement of nursery based infrastructure as well. The directions were recorded in the nursery journal by PCCF.
Besides, there was interaction session at Nagdandi nursery in which DFOs, Deputy Directors, District level officers of other sister wings, Range Officers, foresters and forest guards interacted with the PCCF. He lauded the efforts of forest frontline staff in the successful implementation of all Forest based Government programs and schemes in South Kashmir.
Later, PCCF threw open Achabal Forest Check Post after its repair and renovation work was completed in record time. PCCF said Achabal Check Post is significant with respect to protection scenario especially in Kuthar Forest Range.
He later inspected Levdora Check Post in Qazigund Forest Range where he directed for 24X7 surveillance on the National Highway and checking of vehicles by setting up night Nakas.
During the inspection the PCCF & HoFF, J&K was accompanied by Chief Conservator of Forests Kashmir T. Rabi Kumar, Conservator of Forests South Forest Circle Irfan Ali Shah, Divisional Forest Officer Lidder Sheikh Mehraj, DFO Anantnag Mohammad Ramzaan, DFO Kulgam Waseem Gul and DFO Shopian Mohammad Ayoub, District level officers of Forest Protection Force, Wildlife, Social Forestry, Pollution Control Committee, Range officers and other Forest officials.