![Commissioner Secretary Forest, Environment & Ecology, Sarita Chauhan chairing a meeting in Jammu on Tuesday. Commissioner Secretary Forest, Environment & Ecology, Sarita Chauhan chairing a meeting in Jammu on Tuesday.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/page8-14.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 21: Commissioner Secretary Sarita Chauhan today reviewed the functioning of Forest Department at Van Bhawan here.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests J&K, Dr. Mohit Gera through a presentation briefed the Secretary about the functioning of the Forest Department and the various schemes/programs being implemented by the department.
He highlighted the progress made in the CAPEX in which almost 95% of the released funds stand utilized. He also informed about the progress of Green J&K Drive in achieving the target of planting 50 lakh saplings by June, 2020.
The Commissioner Secretary emphasized upon the inter-department coordination especially in incorporating the concerns of environment and forest in the sectoral plans of respective departments.
She asked the functionaries of the Forest Department to include activities related to the conservation of forests and protection of environment in the Gram Panchayat Development plan which are incorporated and implemented through the Department of Panchayati Raj & Rural Development in J&K.
Chauhan also identified demarcation of forest boundaries as a priority activity and advised the officers to make efforts to consolidate the forest land with active involvement of relevant stake holders. She appreciated the efforts of the Forest Department in addressing various local issues thereby contributing to the larger goals like the sustainable development goals of United Nations.
Senior Forest officers of the department including Sarvesh Rai, APCCF/ CEO CAMPA, Rabi Kumar, CCF Central, Sandeep Kujur, CCF Working Plan, Research & Trainings, Sameer Bharti, CCF Jammu and K. Ramesh Kumar, CCF FCA among other senior functionaries of the department attended the meeting.