Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 18: The Forest Department has planted 3.45 lakh plants over 500 hectares of degraded forest land in Billawar, Kathua, Jammu, Udhampur and Ram Nagar forest divisions during last monsoon season, under flagship CAMPA programme, while 25000 plants were planted under a special drive to increase the green cover in Jammu city.
Moreover, 1.18 lakh plants are also being planted in Kandi belts of Parmandal and Bajalta areas by Ecological Task Force.
This information was given at a high level forest officers meeting held here today held under the chairmanship of Minister for Forests and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmed, convened to review the physical and financial achievement of Forest Department registered in Jammu division during the current fiscal.
Commissioner Secretary Forests, Ajiaz Ahmed, Chief Conservator Forest Jammu, Ravi Kumar Kesar, Chief Conservator Forests CAMPA, L.K. Sharma, Conservator Forests Jammu division Roshan Jaggi, besides the Divisional Forest officers of Jammu Forest Division attended the meeting.
The meeting was informed that 3.97 lakh more plants would be planted in Jammu Division during current winter season under CAMPA programme. It was informed that work on infrastructure building for construction of 8 buildings and procurement of 4 vehicles for improving the functioning and controlling timber smuggling are under implementation through CAMPA programme.
It was further informed that 1016 kanals of encroached forest land has been removed along with dismantling of four illegal structures, while 8 vehicles involved in forest offences were seized during last 9 months of current fiscal in Jammu Division except Poonch and Rajouri districts.
It was further revealed that 45000 cft of timber has been provided to the consumers of Jammu, Kathua, Samba, and Udhampur districts during last 9 months of current fiscal by the Forest Department. While as in coming 3 months, the department has a plan to provide more 36000 cft of timber to the needy consumers of these districts.
Similarly, Forest Department has distributed 8200 quintals of firewood on subsidized rates to various Shanti Ghats for cremation in these districts.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister directed concerned officers to prepare prospective plan to carry out plantation within urban areas and upcoming colonies to maintain green and healthy environment in Jammu city.
The Minister instructed to expedite work on various components of Tawi Herbal Eco-park, coming up near Mahamaya temple. He exhorted upon the officers to work with dedication and devotion for prompt redressal of people’s grievances.
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