JAMMU: The Soil Conservation Training School (SCTS) at Miran Sahib successfully organized a Revenue Training Workshop, aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of forestry professionals in effective revenue management and its applications in forest conservation. The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Vivek Verma, Conservator of Forests (Working Plan, Training, and Research), who commenced the event with the lighting of the traditional lamp, symbolizing wisdom, progress, and sustainable growth.
During the keynote address, Mrs. Neha Mehta, Principal of the Soil Conservation Training School, underscored the critical role of revenue systems in the effective management of forest resources, conservation planning, and ecological restoration. She emphasized the growing importance demarcation exercise conducted by Forest Department, she highlighted the importance of knowledge of reading the maps, extracts of revenue records, scaling the maps, surveying in ground. .
One of the highlights of the workshop was an insightful session by Dr. Rakesh Verma, Range Officer, who elaborated on the role of the Revenue Department in maintaining accurate land records, particularly in the context of the Forest Department. He discussed how proper land records are essential for demarcating forest boundaries, preventing encroachment, and supporting the department's conservation objectives. He further explained how the role of the Revenue Department contributes to maintaining ecological balance, while also protecting the legal status of forest lands through well-maintained documentation.
Rajesh Slalia, Instructor at the Soil Conservation Training School, oversaw the workshop’s management and protocol, ensuring that all sessions ran smoothly. He ensured a structured approach that encouraged participant engagement and interaction with the experts.
In keeping with the workshop's theme of sustainability and environmental stewardship, Mr. Vivek Verma planted Rudraksh saplings to commemorate the occasion. The planting symbolized the commitment of the Forest Department and the Soil Conservation Training School to promoting a clean and green environment through responsible conservation practices. The Rudraksh tree, known for its cultural and ecological significance, stands as a reminder of the connection between revenue management and sustainable forestry.
The workshop also featured an informative session by a Resource Person from the Revenue Training Institute, Jammu, who shared in-depth knowledge about the role of the Revenue Department in maintaining land records, including land demarcation and the proper use of revenue in forest administration. The session highlighted the direct correlation between accurate land records and the prevention of illegal land use and encroachment. Participants were introduced to modern tools and techniques that aid in the effective mapping and monitoring of forest lands.
Participants included forest officers, from whole of Jammu Province covering 18 Forest Divisions with regular trainees of Soil Conservation Training School Miran Sahib, all of whom benefited from the comprehensive training and interactive discussions. The workshop provided a platform for exchanging ideas and best practices in revenue management and its application in forest governance.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Dewan Singh, who expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the participants, resource persons, and organizers for their invaluable contributions. In his closing remarks, Dewan Singh emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the Revenue and Forest Departments to ensure the sustainable management of forest resources.
The Revenue Training Workshop marked a significant step toward building a more robust, well-informed approach to forest revenue management, ensuring that both the environment and forest-dependent communities benefit from sustainable practices.
