Rs 268 cr being spent for protection of wildlife: Altaf

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 25:  Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad has asked the officers of Wildlife Department to conduct a joint survey of the identified Conservation Reserves and submit its report within one month, so that services of expert agency is hired for framing  comprehensive and long term wildlife protection projects in the State.
Minister was speaking while chairing 6th meeting of Standing Committee of State Board for Wildlife held here today.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Abay Kumar, Chief Wildlife Warden A. K. Singh, besides senior officers from Forest and Wildlife Departments were present on the occasion.
The meeting held a detailed discussion on the proposed projects being taken up for protection of wildlife and development of wetlands and conservation reserves across the State. The meeting also approved certain decisions taken in 5th meeting of the Board.
The Minister instructed concerned to complete survey of the areas in time bound manner and ensure minimum involvement of forest and sanctuary land in such projects. He asked them to launch afforestation on massive scale in those areas where felling of trees involves to ensure maintaining of ecological balance in the affected areas.
It was given out that Rs. 268 crore are being spent on protection of wildlife, creation of related infrastructure in the State