Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 3: Chief Secretary, B R Sharma today chaired the 90th meeting of the Forest Advisory Committee here.
The Committee gave forest clearance to various proposals to allow use of forest land for developmental purposes including construction of roads, Siar Dabri-Bhawan ropeway, 2MW Butakulan- Kangan HEP and Pakal Dul HEP.
The FAC reiterated the direction on minimum felling of trees, calling upon the user agencies to ensure that extraordinary care is taken to save the precious green cover in the forest areas, while undertaking construction of development works. “ As far as possible alignment of roads should be such, as would entail felling of least number of trees,” Chief Secretary stressed.
He emphasised on undertaking compensatory afforestation in the forests, where development works are being taken up so that appropriate tree density is maintained in the area and any probable negative impact on the site ecology is considerably reduced.
The FAC also stressed on the user agencies to ensure eco- restoration of muck dumping sites including stabilization of slopes by construction of retaining walls and where ever possible to plant sapplings at these sites. “Forest Department should regularly monitor the eco restoration of the dumping sites,” Chief Secretary said.
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