Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Dec 4: Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh today conducted an extensive tour of various areas of Haria Chak and adjoining villages of Kathua district and inspected ongoing development works including forest compartments and nurseries in the area.
The Minister asked the executing agencies to gear up their efforts in completing the ongoing works within stipulated time frame for the larger public benefit. He said the developmental issues of the area should get focused attention and the officers should regularly visit the far-off areas to assess developmental deficiencies. He said there is no constraint of funds in mitigating the development related issues of the people in far-flung areas.
Highlighting the initiatives of the State Government in steering J&K towards new heights, Choudhary Lal Singh said the Government is keen to extend enhanced basic amenities to the people with emphasis on unattended areas.
Later, the Minister chaired an officers meeting to review the status of implementation of various development works in the village Haria Chak. He directed the officers of PWD (R&B) to expedite the construction of various roads including lanes and drains in the area and ensure that there is no delay in completion of these vital works.
The Minister asked the Divisional Forest Officers to work with devotion and dedication for preservation and protection of forest wealth of the State. He emphasized on massive aforestation and directed the officers to take anticipatory measures and plant the saplings on open chunk of forest land in order to check encroachments.
Choudhary Lal Singh asked the officers to be proactive and closely monitor the activities launched by the department to achieve tangible results.
Chief Wildlife Warden, Suresh Chugh, Chief Conservator of Forests Roshan Jaggi, Divisional Forest Officers of Territorial, Wildlife and Social Forestry besides Executive Engineers of PWD (R&B), PHE, PDD and RDD accompanied the Minister.