JAMMU, NOVEMBER 02- Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh today directed the concerned officers of forests and its allied departments to act tough against smuggling of Nag Chattri in the the State and ensure strict enforcement of the ban on the extraction of this rare plant.
This was stated by the Minister during a meeting with the officers of Forest Department (Territorial) wherein he reviewed the progress of eviction of encroachments on forest land as from April to October 2016 here today.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests A K Singh, Chairman Pollution Control Board Ravi Kessar, Chief Wildlife Warden Suresh Chugh, Director Social Forestry Arun Kumar Tikoo, Chief Conservator Of Forests Roshan Jaggi, Managing Director State Forest Corporation Suresh Gupta, Director Ecology, Environment and Remote sensing O P Sharma, Director Forest Protection Force Rajiiv Tiwari, Director SFRI B M Sharma, Joint Director Kh. Qamar-ud-Din besides Divisional Forest Officers of Territorial, Wildlife, Social Forestry and Soil Conservation were present in the meeting.
Choudhary Lal Singh directed the officers for preparation of log books of each forest as per new proposed administrative units by the Government and submit the report within one month .
Minister called for formulation of a proper demarcation plan with greater vigil, proper fencing methodology and involvement of locals. He also called for undertaking computerization of forest land records so that proper upkeep of the available resources is ensured.
The Minister stressed upon the officers to perform their duty with a missionary zeal for protecting the forest cover with focus on vulnerable areas. He directed the DFOs Territorial to personally monitor the fencing of forest land to check encroachment.
Choudhary Lal Singh stressed on the need to generate mass awareness regarding the measures for safeguarding the forest wealth and prevent illicit felling of trees. He said aim of the Government is to ensure protection of existing forests and also to take up massive plantations drives to improve green cover .
He said special drives will also be carried out on National Highway from Lakhanpur to Kashmir valley and also effective steps will be taken towards recharging the natural water bodies for conserving the forests and maintaining the ground water level.
Choudhary Lal Singh also asked to appeal industrialists for installation of pollution control devices in their industrial units to minimize the pollution.
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