Srinagar, 16 Oct: Jammu & Kashmir Forest Department has accorded sanction for the constitution of the High-Level Coordination and Monitoring Committee (HLCMC), Regional Level Forest Protection Committees (RLFPC), and Circle Level Forest Protection Committees (CLFPC) for strengthening the existing system of Forests and Wildlife Protection with the greater involvement and coordination between Forest Department, Forest Protection Force and Department of Wildlife Protection.
In an order issued by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and HoFF of Jammu and Kashmir Forest department on 6th October, it stated that in order to devise Strategy and Action Plan for monitoring and improving the coordination between the Forest Department, Forest Protection Force and Department of Wildlife Protection for strengthening of Forest and Wildlife Protection in UT of J&K, it accorded sanction for the constitution of seven member High-Level Coordination and Monitoring Committee (HLCMC), appointing Pr. Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) as it’s chairman.
“The HLCM Committee may co-opt any officers as and when required. The HLCM committee shall meet at least two times a year to monitor and review the coordination on the protection of Forests and Wildlife. To review the working of the RLFPCs or CLFPCs and pass on directives for further improvement of the system of protection. HLCM Committee shall also examine and recommend required budgetary provision under the Forest and Wildlife Protection and related Heads for proper functioning of the CLFPCs. HLCM Committee may send recommendations Forest, Ecology & Environment Govt of J&K”, reads the order.
According to the order, Chief Wildlife Warden, APCCF Central, APCCF Jammu, APCCF Kashmir, CCF/CF Vigilance have been appointed as members of the committee while Director FPF has been appointed as member secretary.
As per the order, it has also accorded sanction for the constitution of two more committees as Regional Level Forest Protection Committee (RLFPC) appointing CCF Territorial as it’s chairman with four more other constituents as members and a member secretary, while for the Circle Level Forest Protection Committee (CLFPC), it has appointed Conservator of Forests (Territorial) as it’s chairman with four more other constituents as members and a member secretary.
In terms of reference, the RLFP committee shall meet at least once in three months to monitor and review the functioning of the CLFPCs. RLFP Committee shall advise the CLFPCs on emergent issues of forests and wildlife protection. To approve area-specific action plans on the protection of forests & wildlife. To study and recommend the annual plans of the divisional district-level units and recommend adequate budgetary provisions for protection.
For terms and reference under Circle Level Forest Protection Committee (CLFPC), the committee shall meet at least once a month to review the forest & wildlife protection needs of all the Divisions of the Circle and take appropriate action. The committee may meet at short notice to deal with the emergent situation. The committee shall approve the Division wise site-specific action plan for each division/district-level unit depending on the threat/vulnerability of the area. Monitor the implementation of the site-specific protection measures in the Circle and address the forest & wildlife protection issues on real-time basis. Rationalization of the location of Check recommend to CF for notification posts in view of protection requirement and recommend to CF for notification.
“Plan, operationalize and monitor Joint Control rooms. Manpower deployment in venerable areas to ensure required preventive measures to avoid forest damage. Constitution, deployment, and monitoring of flying squads, Special Task Force, Intelligence Units, etc. for effective forest and wildlife protection. Carry out any other assignments given by the HLCMC or RLFPC”, states the order.
The order further reads that following the discussions held and decisions made during the meeting held on the subject on 04-12-2021 and 02-08-2022 with the involvement of Hods and senior officers from Forest Department, Forest Protection Force, Department of Wildlife Protection, and J&K Forest Development Corporation.
