Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 7: Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey today highlighted the importance of remedial action plan that captures all environmental concerns likely to negatively impact proposed construction project surroundings.
Chairing the 83rd Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) meeting here, Chief Secretary said that balance between development needs and conservation of natural environment should always be maintained besides an approach that carefully studies the unintended consequences of a project especially in environmentally sensitive zones should take prime focus.
The Forest Advisory Committee discussed and considered various proposals to allow use of forest land for road construction projects in Poonch, Sindh and Kargil Forest Divisions besides it also reviewed report on Mubarak-Mandi- Maha Maya Ropeway project coming up in Jammu Forest Division.
While discussing a detailed power point presentation on muck disposal plan of Zojilla Tunnel project presented during the meeting, the Chief Secretary said that muck disposal sites should be carefully selected besides the user agencies have the responsibility to carry out eco-restoration of muck dumping sites through engineering solutions and biological means.
He also directed the Forest Department to monitor developmental projects in each Forest Division besides carrying out necessary afforestation to offset any negative impact of development projects.
The meeting was attended by Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Dr. Arun Kumar, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas and other senior officers.
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