Mohit Gera reviews mechanism to prevent forest fire damages

Jammu, Apr 05: Dr Mohit Gera, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Jammu and Kashmir, and BM Sharma, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, conducted a tour of the forest areas of Jammu West Circle, including Katra Range of Reasi Forest Division and Mahore Forest Division on Wednesday to review forest fire preparedness and damage prevention measures.
During the tour, the officers from West Circle and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) presented their measures and preparations to prevent forest fires. Vinay Khajuria, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), representing CEO, SMVDSB, Katra, informed the team about various measures like control burning, creating fire lines, spreading awareness among local communities, collecting chir pine needles, clearance of bushes on both sides of the track, and wetting of shrine slopes during May and June. A future plan for the installation of a rain gun on the track was also discussed.
Dr Gera inaugurated the Forest Guard Hut in Kanthan Forest block and interacted with the PRI members. Later, a plant distribution of various species was done among the local public in the light of the ‘Har Gaon Haryali’ campaign of the J&K Government. Dr Gera and his team also visited Mahore Forest Division to review forest field staff and conduct a mock drill to check forest damage and prevent forest fires. He expressed satisfaction with the functioning of the West Circle and called for more focused efforts to protect and conserve the green wealth of Jammu and Kashmir.
The J&K Forest Department and its sister wings have successfully planted over 150 lakh saplings in the last financial year 2022-23. The department plans to distribute plants to the maximum number of rural and urban households in the upcoming financial year.