Ganderbal, Jan 22: Over the past two years, the authorities in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district successfully reclaimed 156 kanals of forest land, seizing 640 CFTs of timber and 18 quintals of firewood. Notably, the forest department has impounded 4 vehicles and filed 9 FIRs, leading to the apprehension of 20 individuals involved in various smuggling activities, including the illicit trade of medicinal plants totalling 17 quintals.
Officials highlight Ganderbal’s commendable low deforestation rate within the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. This year, the Ganderbal Forest Department identified new locations for eco-tourism, spanning Chontwaliwar to Lalmarg and Akhal to Khudmarg, creating the 7 Lake Trek. Footfall on these sites recorded 8734 visitors this year.
The Forest Department is initiating tracking measures in various locations within the Ganderbal Division. A Chinar Gah covering 100 kanals in the Biodiversity Park Harran Ganderbal has been established, with 130 Chinars planted. Officials mentions the newly inaugurated City Forest Park on the banks of Manasbal Lake, offering walking trails, cycle tracks, horse-riding facilities, and divided into different blocks with unique features.
The Forest Department plans a plantation drive covering 700 hectares in the coming year. Additionally, door-to-door surveys for wood requirements are underway, with spot verifications conducted in forest blocks like Chatergul, Wangath, and Akhal. Deserving households in these areas are receiving timber.
Mir urges public cooperation to help enforce the law against culprits and encourages afforestation programs for sustainable development. The department aims to initiate more afforestation initiatives, emphasizing the importance of forests in the region’s sustainable growth.
