Awantipora, Mar 14: Dr. Mohit Gera, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, J&K and Head of the Forest Force, along with other officials, visited Awantipora Forest Division of South Forest Circle to kickstart a mega plantation drive. The officials included Irfan Ali Shah, IFS, Conservator of Forests, South Forest Circle, Rafi Ahmed Bhat, Director Khyber Industries Pvt Ltd, Riyaz Ahmad Tramboo, Regional Director J&K Pollution Control Committee, DFO Awantipora Forest Division Waseem Farooq Mir (DCF), Deputy Director Forest Protection Force Awantipora Dr Mumtaz Majeed, Range officers, and frontline forest staff.
The program began with a Guard of Honour presented to PCCF and HoFF, J&K by personnel of Forest Protection Force. Dr. Gera then launched a Mega plantation program in Khanmoh Industrial Area by planting a Chinar sapling. During the planting drive, hundreds of conifer saplings were also planted.
Dr. Gera also participated in an Environment awareness program at Industrial Area, Khanmoh and interacted with the Forest frontline staff, Industrialists, entrepreneurs, and officials from J&K Pollution Control Committee. He spoke about various deliverables, schemes, and government programs in the forestry sector, including Green J&K Drive, One Beat Guard One Village Program, Forests for Recreation, Fodder, Livelihood, etc. He directed the forest officials to work with full dedication and commitment for the conservation and protection of Forests, wildlife, and biodiversity through the people-centric approach of the department.
Dr. Gera informed about various ease of business initiatives being taken by the Department for industrial growth and development. Additionally, he distributed mobile phones amongst the Forest personnel of Forest Check Posts of Awantipora Forest Division for the implementation of National Transit Permit System.
Late evening, Dr. Gera inspected mine reclamation areas of Khanmoh and appreciated the works done by Industry people. He stressed that mine reclamation shall always be a regular part of modern mining practices.
Irfan Ali Shah, Conservator of Forests South Forest Circle, informed that the Forest Division Awantipora is a newly created Division which has been carved out from Lidder and Shopian Divisions. He said that during the current year, the planting target of 1.80 lacs plants was there, and so far, 1.26 lac plants have been planted in this Division, and the remaining planting work shall be completed by the end of this month.
He also shared that the DPR formulation work for Roadside Avenue Planting project for NH-1A from Qazigund to Srinagar was successfully completed, and the proposal has been submitted to higher authorities for approval. Besides, the Perspective Plan for Forest Fire Management for an amount of Rs 35.00 lacs has also been submitted to the Government for approval. Further, the efforts are underway to make Pampore Range a model Forest Range.
Rafi Ahmed, Regional Director J&K Pollution Control Committee, Kashmir Region, also spoke on the occasion in which he highlighted the efforts of the JKPCC in pollution control and strict implementation of various rules and guidelines related to the environment.
