Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 21: Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Choudhary Lal Singh has directed the field functionaries of Forest Department to ensure completion of demarcation process by October 30, 2016 so that further encroachments on the forest land could be prevented.
The Minister said this while speaking at Annual Forest Staff Meet, here today.
Chief Conservator of Forests Roshan Jaggi, Conservators, Divisional Forest Officers, Rangers, Foresters and Guards of Jammu, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri and Udhampur were also present on the occasion.
Stressing on the need to maintain updated records, Lal Singh directed the DFOs to furnish compartment wise, beat wise, details of encroachments in their division including the details of land breaking (cultivation), number of pucca and kacha structures and particulars of the encroachers, at the earliest so that further necessary action could be initiated in this regard.
Expressing serious concern on the issue of overgrazing, the minister directed the concerned officers to take necessary measures so that the practice is kept under check.
He also directed the concerned officers for establishment of forest check points so that correct number of livestock graziers both permanent and nomadic could be ascertained .
He further directed the DFOs to maintain correct record of livestock deras both pacca and kaccha and ensure strict implementation of grazing allotment rules.
The Minister asked officers to put in sincere efforts to preserve the green gold which gives unique identity to our State. He also said that digitization process of forest land has been started which will help in easy demarcation of forest land.
Lal Singh also directed the concerned officers for identification of barren lands which could be developed for producing fodder based plants and special species of grass suiting the climate. He further directed for developing mother nurseries to produce fodder based species of grass and trees to enhance fodder production in the State.
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