Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 14: Minister for Social Welfare and Forest Bali Bhagat, today reviewed functioning of Forest Department at a meeting of senior officers.
The meeting was attended by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, A.K. Singh, Chief Conservator of Forest, Roshan Jaggi, Conservator East Circle, B.M. Sharma, , Conservator West Circle, Sameer Bharti, , Conservator Chenab Circle, M.P. Dogra besides Divisional Forest Officers of various divisions of Jammu division.
During the meeting, detailed discussion was held on various important issues including eviction of encroached forest land, timber extraction, seizure and supply position, revenue realization, rehabilitation of degraded forests besides targets and achievements were also deliberated upon in detail.
While speaking on the occasion, the Minister asked the concerned officers to adopt proactive approach to check illegal encroachment and take concrete steps to contain the same. He directed the officers to start fencing work on retrieved land on war footing and complete the process before November 15.
Bali Bhagat said that Government has already initiated steps to retrieve encroached forest land on priority basis and asked the officers to digitalize the system so that online records are kept available. He asked them to challenge all false mutations before the court of law so that the encroached land could be retrieved.
The Minister directed the Divisional Forest Officers to create their own sources to establish information network to contain pilferage and other malpractices in their respective divisions. He also asked them to prepare a list of encroachers alongwith photographs so that appropriate action would be taken against them. He stressed for conducting raids on regular basis.
The meeting also discussed functioning of the State Forest Corporation and asked the officers to adopt innovative measures for further streamlining of functioning of this vital unit to make it a profitable venture.
Referring to opening of new timber sale depots in potential areas, the Minister instructed DFOs to work out a detailed plan in this regard.
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