RAMBAN, MAY 08-Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh today directed the district administration Ramban to issue instructions to National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and other executing agencies not to dump (mulba) in Forests land, adding that such practices badly affected the beauty of the ecology.
This was stated by the Minister while addressing a meeting of officers of district administration Ramban after inspecting the Forest infrastructure in the district, here today.
MLA Ramban Neelam Langeh, District Development Commissioner Ramban Mohammad Aijaz, Senior Superintendent of Police Randeep Kumar and HoDs of Forests and its allied wings accompanied the Minister.
With his aim to make the forest cover more dense and green to maintain their beauty and longevity for coming generation, Choudhary Lal Singh asked the Forest Officers to gear up their men and machinery in saving the green gold in their respective areas. He also asked them to plant about 50,000 deodar, cedrus, deodar, kail, brami, salis, ulmus, HC Nut besides fruit trees like Amla, Guava, Jamun, Apple and Walnut, Punica (Anardhana) etc. in coming monsoon.
Lauding the efforts in developing nursery at Karol, the Minister stressed for its expansion and proper fencing to avoid encroachments from land grabbers. He directed them for regular patrolling of Forests for checking of smuggling of timber and fire wood in the district.
Choudhary Lal Singh said that he has already issued instructions to the forest authorities to take effective measures to protect and promote the forests in Ramban district. He said the department was also contemplating to promote eco-tourism in the potential areas, adding that the district is suitable for developing the eco-tourism spots.
The Minister urged upon the people to save the green cover as their own assets, adding that the Government is making all out efforts to develop every open space as green gold across the State. He asked the officers to provide free deodar and ornamental plants to the people in coming monsoon for plantating the trees in large numbers in their respective areas.
Choudhary Lal Singh said that development of nurseries with fruit, ornamental and deodar plants in the district would help the Forest Department in generating income resources.
While comparing tree and gold, the Minister said that the worth of a tree should be considered more than that of gold which is always taken care of and kept in custody. He cited the examples of many trees- borne areas which are very suitable for living from health point of view.
Choudhary Lal Singh also asked the officers for devising innovative techniques to prevent the erosion and loss of forest land besides constructing check dams, DRSM works and plantation of soil binder plants.
Later, the Minister also inspected various forest compartments and nurseries along National Highway and interacted with locals from Ramban to Banihal.
Several deputations and individuals met the Minister during his visit to Ramban, Ramsoo, Magerkote and Banihal and projected their genuine issues to the Minister.
Choudhary Lal Singh has solved most of the projected issues on-the-spot and remaining forwarded to the concerned department for early redressal.
Responding to the demand with regard to timely supply of timber in established SFC depots in the district for construction of their houses, the Minister directed the concerned officer to look into the matter and solved the genuine issue on priority basis.
Expressing his concern to the illegal dumping of debris and muck in the forest by the NHAI and other executing companies, he immediately instructed for seizing of 3 tippers, 2 JCB machines at Nashri, 1 tipper at Mehar Ramban and 1 Tipper at Sherbibi near Chamalwas and also directed the construction company to adhere to the terms and conditions of the contract agreement.
Meanwhile, MLA Ramban also raised some issues while leading a delegation of locals at Ramban. The major issues included proper identification of dumping sites by four-lane construction company, opening of timber depots in villages, availability of sleepers at low rates, supply of plants from nurseries, massive plantation along sliding zone etc.
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