SRINAGAR: The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of the Forest Force, J&K Roshan Jaggi, inspected Lidder and Awantipora Forest Divisions and reviewed the working of the Forest Department today. He also reviewed the ongoing developmental works being executed in these Forest Divisions.
He informed that under flagship Green J&K Drive programme, the plantation target of 1.75 crores will be achieved this year in J&K. He said a 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 a plantation target of 14.00 lacs last year.
He directed for greening initiatives to be accelerated for rehabilitation of degraded forests here. During the tour, PCCF inspected various ongoing development works in both the divisions including Shade Net Structure for Pampore Nursery. He also laid foundation stones of Block officers hut at Gossanard Pampore, New Forest Control Room building at Awantipora and of New Range office building in Bijbehara.
The newly renovated Range Office Pampore was also thrown open to public services by the PCCF. An information brochure on forest fire management in Awantipora Division was also released on the occasion. PCCF visited Central forest nursery, Bijbehara where he gave directions for effective nursery management, increasing medicinal plant cultivation, and 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.
During the inspection the PCCF & HoFF, J&K was accompanied by Conservator of Forests South Forest Circle Irfan Ali Shah, DFO Awantipora Forest Division Waseem Farooq Mir, DFO Lidder Forest Division Sheikh Mehraj , DFO Anantnag Mohammad Ramzaan,, District level officers of Forest Protection Force, Range Forest officers and other Forest officials.