JAMMU, APRIL 26-Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh today reviewed the functioning of Forest Protection Force (FPF), State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) and Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) department here today.
The Minister took detailed appraisal of activities of the FPF and called upon the functionaries to adopt a pro-active and coordinated approach in protecting forest wealth in a more professional manner to achieve better results. He directed developing a well-knit mechanism to deal with timber smugglers and those involved in illegal acts relating to forest protection.
Director FPF Suresh Gupta, Director SWC Ravi Kumar Kesar, Joint Director FPF Kh Qamar-ud-Din, Joint Director SFRI Nassir Kitchloo, Conservator SFRI Naveen Shah, Deputy Directors, Divisional Forest Officers besides other senior officers of the departments were present in the review meeting.
Choudhary Lal Singh called for devising a comprehensive plan to develop adequate number of green pastures across the State to meet grazing requirements of the cattle population in the State. He stressed for developing barren lands, preferably near populated localities, for producing fodder based plants and special species of grasses suiting the climate and which are useful for catering local needs. He also directed developing mother nurseries for producing fodder based species of grasses and trees to enhance fodder production in the State.
Choudhary Lal Singh directed for digitalisation of Forest land and asked for regular patrolling of Forests by FPF guards in evening hours. He directed to provide necessary safety equipments in line with forces. He directed to set up one helpline number across the State for use of general masses.
Choudhary Lal Singh directed the Deputy Directors, Inspectors and FPF Guards to have of refresher courses so that they could fully aware with their duties towards FPF department.
Choudhary Lal Singh directed the executing agencies to gear up their men and machinery in completing the ongoing projects under FPF projects.
|